St Issui's Church, Medieval parish church in Partrishow, Wales.
St Issui's Church is a medieval parish church in Wales with stone walls, a slate roof, and a separate stone chapel standing beside it. The building holds a nave, chancel, and covered porch, each part connected in a simple linear arrangement typical of its age.
The church was founded around 1060 and survived the Reformation through a royal order from Edward VI in 1550 that allowed its dual altars to remain. This rare exception meant that medieval religious structures persisted here when they were removed elsewhere.
The carved rood screen from the 1500s shows how worshippers of that era valued decoration in sacred spaces, with dragons and vine patterns reflecting local artistic traditions. These wooden carvings reveal what mattered to the community when they gathered for services.
The site sits in a valley on rising ground, so wear sturdy footwear and expect a mild walk to reach it from the nearest approach. Stone benches near the entrance offer a place to rest and take in the surroundings before or after viewing the interior.
The baptismal font bears a Welsh inscription and dates from around 1055, making it remarkably old for a carved object with local language text. This detail shows how the valley community expressed their faith in their own tongue centuries ago.
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