The present circular churchyard probably represents the heart of the ancient Llan or community. The Black Mountains rise above the little church. In the middle ages Llaneleu Church was linked with the Austin Canons of Llanthony. Today the community is diminished; this church is now redundant. Among the last regular worshippers were staff and patients from the Mid Wales Hospital. The churchyard is still administered by Talgarth Parochial Church Council.
The titular Saint of Llaneleu has a name which appears in many variations; Eleu, Elli, Eluned, Almedha, etc.. Like Saint Gwen of Talgarth, Saint Eleu beonged to the "Children of Brychan", the saintly and numerous family of the legendary founder of Brycheiniog. Celtic Crosses, like place names, provide some of the earliest evidence for the beginning of the Faith in Wales. Two such pillar stones, with incised crosses, stand outside the porch. They are dated between the seventh and ninth centuries. AD
A recording from Llaneleu bells was used in the T.V. production of Brother Cadfael stories. The North bell was cast between 1180 and 1200 AD; the South bell more than a century later.
Victorian restoration at Llaneleu spared the main structure of the fourteenth century roodscreen – remoteness had already saved it from Cromwell. The outline of the vanished crucifix can still be seen on the painted tympanum of Llaneleu Rood. There is a "canopy of honour" constructed in the roof timbers, over the place of the King of Glory.
The altar rails, probably erected at Llaneleu by Archbishop Laud's regulation, served the same purpose as the medieval roodscreen; reverence for the Holy Sacrament.
Part of the roodloft was sawn away to make room later for the pulpit. Before Victorian restoration this pulpit had been part of a "two-decker" arrangement, providing places for the Vicar and the Parish Clerk to read their respective parts of the Prayer Book Liturgy.
The inch by inch uncovering of wall paintings, hidden by plaster, has begun. Most of what has been revealed is script from the English Prayer Book. But there is some stencilled decoration, the Royal Arms and a picture from the story of Adam and Eve.
The former prevalence here of "yr hen iaith" is shown by the possession of Welsh Bibles and Prayer Books. The oldest memorials inside the church record the Aubrey family of Llaneleu court. Outside there is the stump of the churchyard cross; also the sundial.
What did Llaneleu parish chest, massive and primitive, opened with two keys, contain? In the old days the Church was concerned with many matters of civil administration. It would also have held the registers which still go back to 1754, further details are on the Genuki site.