Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor :: Shared Description

The Cadw listing describes the church as 'One of the finest medieval churches in Wales'. The fabric is essentially 15th century, although some earlier work survives from the church sacked by Owen Glyndwr in 1401/2. There were subsequent 19th century restorations, that of 1882 including rebuilding of the east end of the chancel, although the east window may follow the original design. It is the only authentic dedication to St Stephen in Wales, although it is thought that this may be a Norman confusion of the Welsh St Ystyffan with St Stephen the Martyr. Despite being in Wales, the church comes within the Diocese of Hereford, indicative of the complex nature of the Marches.

The church consists of a continuous nave and chancel, with north and south aisles, west tower and south porch. The aisles extend as chapels alongside the chancel. The north aisle is slightly narrower of the two, the roof being a continuation of the nave roof. The south aisle has a separately ridged roof. There is an unusual unity of its Perpendicular style compared with other medieval churches due to the limited time-span of its construction.

The exterior of the church has no particular features to note, but the interior is different. A significant amount of late medieval timberwork remains. This includes the roofs to the nave and south aisle, contemporary with the building, the fine late 15th century chancel screen stretching the full width of the church, and the organ case, dating from the early 16th century and the earliest surviving organ case in the British Isles.

There are a number of fine monuments to the Lewis family of Harpton Court, and several other items of furnishings that are described with their pictures.

The church is Listed Grade I.
by Alan Murray-Rust
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99 images use this description. Preview sample shown below:

SO2459 : The Chancel Window by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Shed in the Corner by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : The Altar and Rails by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Chancel Ceiling by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Old Paintings by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Tudor Window by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : The North Aisle by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor by Alan Murray-Rust
SO2559 : South Aisle Chapel by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Griffon in the Ceiling by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Harris Memorial by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Down to the Gate by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : St Catherine by Tiger
SO2459 : A Green Man by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : To the back of the Nave by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor by Alan Murray-Rust
SO2459 : Roll of Honour II by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Douglas Frederick Duff Gordon by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Sir Thomas Frankland Lewis Memorial by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Old Radnor Church by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Old Bequest by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor by Alan Murray-Rust
SO2459 : To the Back of the Nave by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Screen in the South Aisle by Bill Nicholls
SO2459 : Flowers on the Font by Bill Nicholls

... and 74 more images.

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Created: Mon, 2 May 2016, Updated: Mon, 2 May 2016

The 'Shared Description' text on this page is Copyright 2016 Alan Murray-Rust, however it is specifically licensed so that contributors can reuse it on their own images without restriction.

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