St Hywyn’s Church

Client: St Hywyn’s Church PCC

Location: Aberdaron, Pwllheli

Budget: £250,000

Status: Last Phase Completed 2013

FPL have been working with this important Grade I listed church of St Hywyn’s, Aberdaron since 2010. Due to its age and condition it constantly requires work and attention which FPL are in the responsible position of overseeing, working with the PCC, the Church in Wales, and working closely with CADW.

In the first phase of work undertaken by us we oversaw the sensitive repair of the roof with new slating and lead work to the vulnerable valley between the two roof slopes. Due to the age and thickness of the ancient walls water ingress into the building had been a complex problem for many years.  The almost one metre thick walls had been lashed by wind-driven rain and sea-spray for centuries.  Water had been percolating into the body of the walls and washed away the original mortar bedding creating cavities. These were stripped back of the failed water-damaged plaster to expose the original stonework and an earlier lime-washed finish. Part of the stone walls had collapsed and were reinstated in this first phase of work.

The latest completed phase of work was completed by FPL in August 2013.  This phase comprised of the replacement of the modern out of character timber window above the Vestry with a natural stone window built in a traditional fashion to match the others, and a new underground drainage system.

We are continuing to work with the PCC of St Hywnyn’s and are developing a the latest plans to tackle the outward facing slopes of the roof, not covered in the original scheme.

• Categories: Churches, Listed Buildings and Conservation