England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Llanerch Aeron St Non

The Parish

The parish of Llanerch Aeron (0ften rendered as a single word Llannerchaeron) lies in western Cardiganshire not too far from its Irish Sea coast. Llanerch Aeron is located roughly 11 miles northwest of the small university town of Lampeter and sits about a half mile north of the A482 road which connects Lampeter with the coast at Aberaeron. Llanerch Aeron is an estate parish largely dominated by the grounds and economy of its eponymous house, a late 18th century mansion which incorporated an earlier 17th century house of the local Parry family. Besides the estate there is no defined village of Llanerch Aeron, merely a loose collection of farms and cottages, most gathered in the valley of the Afon Aeron. Like most parishes in the area pastoral farming would have been the main source of income, cattle in the gentler pastures by the river whilst the uplands saw sheep. Modern developments came and left Llanerch Aeron, a branch railway line following the Aeron valley having been completed fell into disuse and has largely been removed. Llanerch Aeron is drained northwest by the Afon Aeron which runs the short distance to the Irish Sea arriving at Aberaeron. The church and riverside pastures are sited at around 40 metres above the sea but land rises steeply beyond the valley to local high points, hilly but not mountainous, of 294 metres on Pencaelyfri to the southeast. By the standards of upland Cardiganshire Llanerch Aeron was a relatively small parish, covering just over 1,600 acres it would have supported a population of close to 250 parishioners. Like most of Wales Llanerch Aeron is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover the principality.

The Church

St Non's church sits on the southern side of an out-and-back lane running north of the A482 to parallel the course of the Afon Aeron, from the churchyard a footbridge crosses the river making for a pleasant stroll. Sadly today's church is a recent rebuild having replaced the medieval predecessor during the period of this transcript. Pevsner describes the basic structure as "a simple Georgian rural church" but then features its centrepiece the western tower. This elaborate flourish has pinnacles and a squat dome to add complexity to what is otherwise largely a preaching box. Despite only being erected in 1878several changes have been made in the intervening years, a campaign in 1878 followed by another in 1895 removed the stucco coating that once encased the church as well as taking away battlements. Further work to stabilise the was also necessary in the 20th century. The quiet lane curves away north, passes the church and returns to the A482, outside the churchyard a short stretch of verge is widened for parking allowing a relaxed visit. There are a few trees scattered around the churchyard but they are easily avoided by the photographer.