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Latitude: 51.6728 / 51°40'22"N
Longitude: -3.959 / 3°57'32"W
OS Eastings: 264633
OS Northings: 198934
OS Grid: SS646989
Mapcode National: GBR GY.6MTL
Mapcode Global: VH4K3.B6DY
Plus Code: 9C3RM2FR+49
Entry Name: Tower of Church of St David and St Cyfelach
Listing Date: 28 February 2002
Last Amended: 28 February 2002
Grade: II*
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 26236
Building Class: Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Also known as: Llangyfelach Church of St David and St Cyfelach
ID on this website: 300026236
Location: Situated just S of the church in the churchyard near the centre of Llangyfelach.
County: Swansea
Town: Swansea
Community: Llangyfelach
Community: Llangyfelach
Built-Up Area: Swansea
Traditional County: Glamorgan
Tagged with: Tower Fortified ecclesiastical site Church tower
Medieval tower of former church, the church itself rebuilt on new site lower down churchyard. The church was badly damaged in the early C19 when the belfry collapsed during a storm. In 1869, gravediggers are said to have found the foundation wall of the old church. The tower is probably of early date, from the massive scale and simple design, perhaps C14, but has no visible datable features. Said to originally have a saddle-back roof, removed early C20, one of at least three distinct restorations. The top parapet and a large part of the S face have been replaced perhaps in earlier C20.
Detached church tower, square unbuttressed large tower of thin coursed rubble stone with dressed stone small quoins. Very small plain rectangular 2-light louvred bell-opening to each face and some tiny openings lower down, one each face just above mid height, and one slightly lower down on N, W and S faces. E face has low ashlar pointed arch, unmoulded with raised imposts, presumably to former nave, but no other signs of building survive. S side has rebuilt walling to most of the upper third. W side has no door. N side has inserted possibly C17 door with flat grey sandstone lintel and chamfered ashlar jambs. Plank door with wrought iron strap hinges. The lintel is a reused early Christian stone and had an incised cross on it some 30 in high, already much eroded in C19.
Rebuilt parapet has string course below and battlements with flat tops and outer face chamfered. Stone rainwater spouts on N and S sides.
Not accessible.
Graded II* as a substantial medieval tower, of imposing scale. One of only three towers detached from their churches in Wales; the others in Henllan, Clwyd and Bronllys, Powys.
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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