COMMUNITY

Christ Church serves the small rural community of Bwlch-y-Cibau which is three miles from the town of Llanfyllin. The ecclesiastical parish has a population of about 100 and comprises of scattered farms with a small village nucleus where the church is situated. Besides the Church the only other community amenities are the ‘Stumble Inn’ public house and the old school which is used as a community hall.

WORSHIP

Sunday Mornings
1^st 3^rd Sundays in month - 11.00am HOLY EUCHARIST
2^nd Sunday in Month - 11.00am FAMILY SERVICE
4^th Sunday in month - 6.30pm EVENSONG
5^th Sunday in month - 11.00am MORNING WORSHIP

We extend a warm welcome to Christians of all denominations to our worship.

CHURCH ACTIVITIES

Christ Church joins in with many of the church activities taking place in Llanfyllin including:

• Mothers’ Union meets on 3rd Wednesday in month at 2.30pm in St Myllin’s Vestry;

• The Church Bible Study Group meets on the 4th Thursday in the month either at the Rectory or the Vestry to study and discuss the Lord’s Word;

• On the Second Tuesday in the month we are visited by the Chirk and Oswestry Christian Library who come laden with books and videos that can be borrowed. Users can browse and join us for a cup of coffee in St Myllin’s Vestry between 2.30pm and 4pm;

• Christ Church organises several social/fundraising events during the year.

The village has a community hall ‘the Old School’ which we use for meetings and many events.

HISTORY

We are very proud of our beautiful little church.

Christ Church was built between 1862 and 1864 to the design of Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878). Scott was a British architect, and a noted designer, renovating many churches and cathedrals including Westminster Abbey. Other of his buildings besides churches, include the Albert Memorial (1864), St. Pancras Station (1865), and government offices in Whitehall (1861).

Christ Church is a Grade 11 listed building, built in plain Early English style and relatively undecorated in random local stone. Internally there is a wide nave, with a short choir and a semi-circular apse. Projecting from the North wall there is a vestry and an organ chamber. The roof over the apse is of close set rafters, which form a semi-dome. The church seats about 100 adults.

Inside features

• Carved corbels supporting chancel arch, decorated with a rose and leaf design.
• On the North nave wall there is a Gothic arch shaped board recording the past incumbents. This board was dedicated on Christmas Day 1996.
• There is a free standing pine altar table situated in the apse. As there is no inscription about origin it is assumed to have been designed by the architect.
• Stained Glass in Apse - 5 lancet windows made by Wailes 1873. Designed by J.W.Brown.
• Pipe Organ - a two-manual, tracker action instrument. Built by Peter Conacher and Co. (the old firm) Huddersfield. Rebuilt by Messrs. Robert Edwards and Co. 1990. Inscription: This organ was erected in commemoration of the Coronation of King Edward VII 1903.
• Near the organ there is a tablet commemorating Katherine Williams of Bryngwyn and of Old Hope , Jamaica who died in 1903. It was dedicated by her sister Mrs. Frances Bentinck.
• On the North wall of the nave there is a tablet commemorating Henry Martin Sandbach. Major, Royal Artillery who died at Aden, Dec 6th 1895 from the effects of wounds received while lion hunting in Somaliland, aged 37. This tablet is erected by some of his brother officers.

Outside features

• Lych gate - This is of oak construction on a stone base, with memorial inscriptions inside the roof relating to members of the Mackeson-Sandbach family.
• Stone sun dial - On leaving the church, a few feet away from the entrance porch on the left, is a stone sun dial, inscribed AD 1895 IHS Glory be to God.
• Bellcote There are two bells hung in the bellcote. They were recast and dedicated on Ascension Day 1960.
• The churchyard is open for burials

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Last updated 19th November 2007.