St Cristiolus's Church, Llangristiolus

St Cristiolus’s Church stands on raised ground above Malltraeth Marsh in central Anglesey, a short distance south of the A5 and A55 roads. The medieval building occupies a quiet site about a mile west of the modern village of Llangristiolus, which itself takes its name from the church. Founded by St Cristiolus in 610, the present structure dates mainly from the 12th and 13th centuries, with later additions in the 16th and 19th centuries. The large Perpendicular east window in the chancel is so tall it was described as ‘almost too big to fit’ in its wall. The church remains in regular use for Sunday services in Welsh and English, part of the Church in Wales. The church holds Grade II* listed status for its age and the east window, and contains a 12th-century decorated font alongside memorials from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Among those buried in the graveyard is Richard Owen, a 19th-century Calvinistic Methodist minister from the parish. The churchyard also holds the graves of geologists Edward and Annie Greenly, who pioneered modern geological mapping in Anglesey. The church belongs to the Diocese of Bangor and serves a combined benefice with five other local churches. Inside, the nave and chancel show exposed roof timbers and plain iron crosses on the porch and chancel. The 16th-century porch leads into a space with 19th-century pews and choir stalls, and a brass memorial to William Morgan, former Chancellor of Bangor Cathedral. The 12th-century gritstone font at the west end has six interlaced panels, linking it to Irish and Norse traditions. Outside, the churchyard contains six Commonwealth war graves from the two world wars.