England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Laleston St David

The Parish

The parish of Laleston (Trelales its Welsh name) lies in southern Glamorgan roughly 1 1/2 miles west of the industrial town of Bridgend. Laleston sits on the A473, the former route of the A49 road linking Cardiff & Swansea. Laleston is a small and compact village with most properties lying to the north of the A473, whilst a few lay to the south, those being a relatively modern expansion from the previous northern core. Laleston  acquired its name as a result of the transfer of the manor in the 12th century to one Lalys, a prominent Middle-Eastern architect, in reward for redesigning Neath Abbey. Land in the wider parish is well suited to arable farming hence a greater percentage set to cereals than is common this far to the west. Laleston  is drained southwards by a small stream which eventually peters out within the woodlands surrounding Merthyr Mawr, making its way by groundwater to the estuary of the Afon Ogwr. Laleston  is sited at around 60 metres above the sea, land rises northwards to a notable ridge-line with local heights of 132 metres at Cefn Cribwr on Kenfig Hill. Laleston parish was fairly typically sized for a lowland and largely arable parish, covering around 1,700 acres it would have supported a population of close to 550 parishioners. Like most of Wales Laleston is not mentioned in Domesday Book which did not cover this area.

The Church

St David's church sits slightly north of the A473 within a circular churchyard or "llan" and surrounded by the lane of Wind Street. St David has two distinct ages of medieval fabric, one well seen in the relative height differential between the main body and the western and rather chunky tower. The main body, of nave and chancel is rather low-slung in comparison and both dates from either the 13th or early 14th centuries, quite which period is marred by the extensive restorations of the Victorian restorers. Pevsner assigns the chancel arch, often the earliest part to the 14th century so perhaps that period and the Decorated style which characterised it are relevant. The contrastingly tall and blocky western tower is of the later Perpendicular style and best considered merely late medieval rather than assigned to a specific century, the southern porch is contemporary with the tower. The major restoration of Victorian times is dated to 1871 and the changes wrought were significant masking much dating detail. Between the A473 (High Street) and the churchyard is a circular grassy area around which parking can be readily found. Metal gates grant entry to a churchyard which has few obstacles for the photographer.