Latitude: 53.2018 / 53°12'6"N
Longitude: -3.4646 / 3°27'52"W
OS Eastings: 302267
OS Northings: 368190
OS Grid: SJ022681
Mapcode National: GBR 6K.2BWZ
Mapcode Global: WH65P.RSDB
Plus Code: 9C5R6G2P+P5
Entry Name: Detached Belfry Tower at the Church of St Sadwrn
Listing Date: 24 October 1950
Last Amended: 29 June 2000
Grade: II*
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 1073
Building Class: Religious, Ritual and Funerary
ID on this website: 300001073
Location: Prominently-sited at the cross-roads, at the NE boundary of the churchyard.
County: Denbighshire
Community: Henllan
Community: Henllan
Built-Up Area: Henllan
Traditional County: Denbighshire
Tagged with: Bell tower
Medieval church tower, probably of first-half C14 date. Always detached from the church, the tower was placed high on a rock outcrop both to ensure its bells were heard throughout the (formerly extensive) parish, and also perhaps to double-up as a defensive peel tower in times of need. The bell-stage windows were replaced in the C19, probably as part of Richard Lloyd Williams' church restoration programme in 1878.
Square, 4-stage tower of limestone construction with sandstone dressings; shallow-pitched leaded roof. The tower has a battered plinth and sits upon a tall rock outcrop. The E face has a pointed-arched primary entrance to the raised first stage; this has heavily-weathered sandstone jambs with counter-changed voussoirs of limestone and sandstone. Old (perhaps original) boarded door, recessed and with upper grille. Approaching the entrance is a flight of 9 parapetted stone steps ascending from R to L. The third (bell) stage has paired pointed-arched lights to each face with horizontally-slatted vents. Crenellated parapet with plain sandstone gargoyles to the front angles (SE and NE); C20 flagpole to the SW corner.
Plain interior on 3 stages below roof level, with exposed rubble walls and renewed floor boarding to stopped-chamfered lateral beams; ladder-stair access.
Listed Grade II* as a particularly fine and scarce example of a late medieval detached church tower.
Group value with other listed items at the Church of St Sadwrn.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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