England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Llanfaes St Catherine

The Parish

The parish of Llanfaes lies in the extreme east of the island of Anglesey forming an extensive stretch of the island's Irish Sea coast. Llanfaes is located roughly a mile north of the Norman town of Beaumaris and sits on and up to a half mile west of the B5109 which forms the coast road around this eastern corner of the island. Llanfaes, in fact, was the chief town and port of Anglesey up until the Norman Conquest whence it was usurped by the construction of Beaumaris as a "burgh" chartered in 1296. Following this change in status most folk left the parish to occupy Newborough. Much of the parish fell into the control of the 13th century Franciscan Priory which was, of course, suppressed by the Reformation. Llanfaes, despite its once importance as a port, became largely a farming community with a mixed regime of almost equal proportions arable and pastoral, supplemented by some coastal fishing. Llanfaes came into some little fame when it became home to the Saunders-Roe seaplane works during World War II, a move designed for safety from enemy attack, and it was here that the flying boats patrolling the Western Approaches were serviced and maintained. A small stream drains through the parish to the nearby Irish Sea. Llanfaes is sited at between sea level and 40 metres higher whilst land continues to rise westwards in rolling countryside to local heights of just under 130 metres. Llanfaes parish was fairly typically sized for the island, covering just under 2,300 acres it would have supported a population of around 250 parishioners. Like most of Wales Llanfaes is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover this area.

The Church

St Catherine's church lies towards the western edge of the dispersed settlement ona slope above the small stream which passes to its south. Pevsner comments that the church is reminiscent of a Victorian estate church, having been much made over in those times. However, closer inspection reveals the earlier core within, the oldest part of the building is the nave which dates from the 13th century to which a 14th century chancel is attached. The styles of this core vary from the latter stages of early English Gothic through into the Decorated period. Work to enhance this medieval core started in 1811 with the construction of the western tower, the spire, however, was not added until the restoration of 1845. The addition of the Bulkeley Chapel was the next phase of change, it being added in 1885 whilst the southern aisle, aping the 13th century styling of the nave was added in a final push of 1890. A small and narrow lane leads east from minor lanes, crossing the stream to the church and becoming a footpath. A small parking area outside the gates permits a visit. The churchyard, walled in local stone and with metal gates for entry, is open and without any obstacles for the photographer.