18/06/2026
St Cynhaearn's, Ynyscynhaearn is a complete late-Georgian estate church located on an former island in the now-drained lake of Llyn Ystumllyn.
In the medieval period, St Cynhaearn's church was surrounded by water, situated in the middle of a salt water lagoon that was open to the sea. Therefore, the church was only accessible by an ancient causeway. The church was founded in the 7th century by St Cynhaearn, a man of princely birth who embarked on a monastic life. However, the oldest parts of the present church date back to the 12th century.
Over several centuries, the eastwards movement of shingle blocked off the lagoon from the sea and, in the 18th century, the landowners diverted the river and started draining the lake. Thus, by the early 19th century, when church underwent a comprehensive reconfiguration, it was no longer surrounded by water and isolated on an island. Although an estate church, with the names of the estate owners delicately painted on the ends of the pews, St Cynhaearn's was also the parish church for the broader area.
In the late 19th century, St Cynhaearn's fell out of regular use and was declared redundant at the beginning of the 21st century. The church came into our care about 20 years ago and, between 2021 and 2022, we carried out repair works to the church's bellcote, ceiling, and external plaster, helping to preserve this historic place of worship for future generations.
