St Michael's Church, Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog

St Michael's Church is a medieval church ruin in Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog, Wales, with standing walls built from rubble masonry and featuring sandstone dressings. The structure contains a chancel and shows remains from different building periods that tell of its long occupation.

Construction of the church began in the 15th century as a simple house of worship for the local community. A northern chapel was added in the 17th century by the Holland family from a nearby manor, reflecting growing local wealth and influence.

The Welsh name Llanfihangel comes from "llan," meaning enclosure or church, joined with "mihangel," the Welsh form of Michael. This naming pattern reflects how such places were dedicated to religious figures and served as spiritual centers for surrounding communities.

You can reach the church by walking about 200 meters along a footpath from the nearest road, which is roughly 1.5 kilometers north of the village. Wear proper shoes and expect uneven ground since the ruin sits within open countryside.

A stone carved with the date 1598 sits above the eastern chancel window, marking a specific moment of restoration or repair work. This detail provides a rare clue about when significant changes were made to the medieval structure.

Location: Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog

Inception: 15 century

Elevation above the sea: 23.7 m

GPS coordinates: 53.23620,-4.28418

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21