Building Eglwysilan Church

The Church of Saint Ilan curtsies to Christ on the desolate moorland above the village of Abertridwr.

It was built in the fargone years when men used glasses of sand to tell the hour of the day. But, let us not forget that the spot where the church stands today is not the first place chosen by its designers.

They decided to erect the church, on the brink of a quarry four furlongs nearer Abertridwr. The artisans and masons prepared their hammers and chisels, ladders, winches and pulleys to hoist a church heavenward.

But, on the morrow after the first day’s labour, they were all agog to find their work moved to higher ground. Everything was carted back to the quarry and the masons began laying the foundations again.

The builders were like ducks in thunder when the same shift occurred overnight. Some said that the spot was unlucky, an ancient curse on the place perhaps. Others thought that the quarry was haunted by spirits or the Prince of Darkness himself. One or two even saddled the fairies with the blame.

But, they were all agreed on one thing. They elected to building the church where the mysterious forces had moved their materials. And, that is where Eglwysilan Church stands today.

© copyright 2025 Your Tourism Community :: Design by Yvonne Tsang & Kate Watkiss. Powered by Your Tourism Community