“Hail, ancient edifice; thine aisle along,
In contemplation wrapt, now let me stray;
And stealing from the idly busy throng,
Devoutly meditate the moral lay.”
Llangollen Church, which stands in the middle of the town, is a low
gothic structure; and the south side appears the most ancient part of the
edifice. At the east end, on the outside wall, are two knees, which seem
to have been intended as the spring of an arch, for an enlargement of the
building. The roof is slated, and there is a tower steeple at the west
end, containing four bells and a clock, with quarter chimes.
The Church is dedicated to Saint Collen Ap Gwynnawg, Ap Clydawg, Ap
Cowdra, Ap Caradog Freichfras, Ap Lleyr Merim, Ap Einion Yrth, Ap Cunedda
Wledig, by Ethni Wyddeles, daughter of Matholwch, Lord of Cwl, in the
kingdom of Ireland; {94} which saint was buried here. In the Church was
formerly a recumbent figure in alabaster, vulgarly called Saint Collen.
The unshapely remains of this monument are still to be seen in the
belfry, where it has been thrown.
The roof of the Church is supported with three massive stone octagon
Doric pillars, of great antiquity, and two heavy abutments. The roof
itself is very curiously enriched with carved compartments, in old oak,
supported by figures of angels, in various attitudes, also of solid oak.
These figures and the roof I suspect to be spoils of the Abbey Crucis, to
which the Church of Llangollen was incumbent. The transom beams that
support the roof are indented with tracery; and on the north side of the
beam over the north aisle, is the following very curious inscription cut
in old letter. It is so lofty that it can scarcely be made out
distinctly, but I have taken some pains to give it correctly:—
“Y nav i ti, Mair, vydd barod bob awr.”