St. Edmunds King & Martyr Parish Church, New Road

St Edmund’s Church stands in Crickhowell, a small town in Powys, south-east Wales. Built in the early 14th century, it is dedicated to Saint Edmund the king and martyr. The church has been known by this name since 1303 and is now a Grade II* listed building. It was once much larger, with two side aisles removed in 1765 after falling into disrepair. The remaining structure is cruciform, with a chancel, nave, two transepts and a shingled spire containing five bells. The rood-loft serves as the belfry, and the south transept is called the Rumsey chapel. The church holds several notable monuments. Under an arch in the south wall of the chancel lies a damaged knight’s effigy in full mail armour, identified as a member of the Pauncefote family. Opposite is a similar figure of a woman, likely his wife. A black and white marble altar monument in the chancel commemorates Sir John Herbert of Dan y Castell and his wife Joan, along with effigies of Sergeant Lehunt and his wife. The church’s font dates from 1668, and the ceiling was originally made of lath and plaster. The churchyard contains several tombstones, including one for Thomas Havard of Dan y crug, who died in 1762, and another for Edward Williams, who died in 1754. A third marks the burial of Samuel Walbeoffe in 1750. The church’s interior features modern seating, though some are decayed, and a reading desk placed inconveniently behind the pulpit. The west end holds a three-light lancet window above the main entrance, one of the few remaining traces of its original antiquity.