St Michael's Church, Llanvihangel Gobion
History
The datable elements of the church are from the 15th century, although its origins may be earlier, it sits in a circular churchyard and an earlier sculpture has been incorporated into its South wall near the tower. The similarities of the roof-line and tower with those at St Cadoc's Church, Llangattock-juxta-Usk may suggest the involvement of the Gloucestershire engineer John Upton in a Victorian rebuilding, although there is no documented evidence of this. Upton also undertook work at the nearby Pant-y-Goitre Bridge. The architectural historian John Newman writes that the church was "lightly restored in 1925". St Michael’s is now closed. It remains a Grade II* listed building.
Architecture and description
The church is constructed of Old Red Sandstone rubble. The most notable interior features are the "timber aisle-posts, polyganol and moulded", Cadw recording the "good internal carpentry including unusual timber arcade". Of particular interest is a crudely carved stone depicting two angels holding what appears to be a shroud below that of another, headless, figure which may represent the resurrected Christ. This is possibly from a chapel or other religious establishment which originally stood here. Also of note is the impressively large base of a 14th-century preaching cross opposite the South porch.
Notes
- ^ Cadw. "St Michael's Church, Llanvihangel Gobion (Grade II*) (1998)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ Cadw. "Pant-y-Goitre Bridge, with approach embankments and flood arches, Llanover (Grade II*) (87210)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ Newman 2000, p. 293.
- ^ "St Michael, Llanfihangel Gobion".
References
- Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.