England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Aberporth St Cynwyl

The Parish

The parish of Aberporth lies in the extreme southwest of Cardiganshire forming a stretch of the county's Irish Sea coast. Aberporth is located roughly 6 miles northeast of Cardigan and is joined to the A487 road (which connects Cardigan with Aberystwyth) by two arms of the B4333 road. Aberporth is a small sea-port nestling in the bay formed by two creeks steeply running down to the sea. Whilst fishing was undoubtedly important, the building of coastal vessels was also a local trade, furthermore the transport of local limestone & coal both to local Welsh ports such as Milford Haven & Swansea and also wider afield to Liverpool & Dublin. The hinterland was also fertile providing good growing for cereals such as barley & oats. In all Aberporth was a prosperous and productive small community. Today Aberporth earns much of its living from tourism a trend increased by completion of the Wales Coastal Trail, albeit it is interrupted to Aberporth's west by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency firing ranges on the cliffs above the port. The twin creeks drain through the parish to the nearby sea. Aberporth is sited at between sea level and the modern developments inland at around 60 metres, the rolling countryside inland rises still further to local heights of 180 metres or so withi  a few miles. By Cardiganshire standards Aberporth parish was one of the smaller, covering close to 2,100 acres it would have supported a population of around 500 parishioners. Like most of Wales Aberporth is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover this area.

The Church

St Cynwal's church sits at the upper level of the port on the western arc of the B433 as it descends into the village. Sadly the church is largely the work of the Victorians and later builders. The present church dates to the mid 1850s when built as a nave & chancel with western bellcote, the whole having steeply pitched roofing. The porch is the only later detail having been added in 1939. Early gazetteers mention a church with a 15ft steeple clearly a differant building to today's church. The church sits within the junction of B4333 with Fford Ysgolig and has an extensive parking area allowing an extended visit. The local stone walling surrounding the churchyard has arched metal gates for entry and is totally devoid of obstacles for the photographer.