St Teilo's Church

St Teilo’s Church stands in the small village of Llandeloy, Pembrokeshire, a simple stone building dedicated to Saint Teilo. The church began in the 12th century and later became the village school before falling into ruin by the 1840s. In 1926–27 it was rebuilt by architect John Coates Carter using local materials in the Arts and Crafts style. After closing in 2002, the Friends of Friendless Churches took it into their care. The exterior is modest, with a slate roof and a double-arched bellcote at the west end. The church is worth visiting for its quiet presence and the craftsmanship of its rebuild. John Coates Carter designed it without copying any past style, using only local stone and slate. The rood screen and loft remain striking features inside, with a carved Crucifixion on the front. Two stone fonts stand in the nave, one made from ancient stones found during excavation. The reredos is a painted wooden panel framed in elaborate carvings, adding to the interior’s character. Inside, the church feels long and low, with exposed stone walls and simple pews. The octagonal font stands on three steps, and a stoup and two slate piscinas are also present. Stained glass from the 1920s and 1930s fills the windows, casting coloured light across the nave. The chancel leans slightly to the right, giving the space an unplanned, human scale. The transept holds two lancet windows, completing the modest yet evocative design.