St David's Church

St David’s Church stands in the village of Laleston, Bridgend County Borough, southern Wales. It is a Grade I listed medieval church whose timber roofs and fabric have survived largely intact. The churchyard cross and Cliff Cottage share this protected status. The nave and chancel date from the late 13th and 14th centuries, while the porch and tower belong to the later medieval period. The church has belonged to Margam Abbey and to local landowners such as Sir Rice Mansel after the Dissolution. John Evans, once a curate here, later became a Methodist leader. In 1847 Sir Stephen Glynne, 9th Baronet, visited and recorded its architecture. John Prichard restored the building in 1871 and Clayton and Bell supplied the stained glass. William Clarke of Llandaff carved the sanctuary woodwork in 1908. Inside, whitewashed walls carry 17th- and 18th-century engravings. The oak chancel stalls, desk and pulpit were installed in 1958. The Bennet family of Laleston House are remembered in several graves, and in 1762 Thomas Bennet left £52 10s for poor relief.