Deanery of Arllechwedd
St Mary, Trefriw
Map Reference
Nearest Town
Trefriw
Items of Interest
Carved hexagonal pulpit, dated 1633.
A church was built here about 1230. Llewelyn ap Iorwerth had a manor here and used to worship at the church of Llanrhychwyn with his wife Joan, daughter of King John of England. When she objected to the climb Llewelyn built a chapel in the valley 'for greater ease.' The church was entirely remodelled in the 15th, 16th and 19th centuries and no part of the original church now remains except possibly part of the wall of the south aisle. A 17th century altar remains in the church though a larger altar, probably Victorian, has replaced it. The church possesses a 'Breeches Bible' dating from 1589 and a silver chalice inscribed 'The Cuppe of Trefriw, 1701.'
The registers go back to 1594 and one beginning at that date has records of Trefriw and Llanrhychwyn parishes. At the back of the church is a memorial to the 19th century Welsh poet and hymn writer Ieuan Glan Geirionydd, who was born in Trefriw. The stained-glass is very colourful and interesting - it is all modern.