Llanfyllin is a small town in Mid-Wales just to the north of Welshpool. At the centre of the town is the parish church of St Myllin’s.
As the church community is now small, The Friends of St Myllin’s Church – a secular, non-religious group – was formed with the support of the local community to help look after and improve the building and churchyard for wider use by those in the area and beyond.
There has been a religious community on the site of the present church since the 7th century although the current building dates only from about 1712. Over the centuries, the town has developed around the church which has been the focus for much of its life. The classical design of the present building means that it has a wonderful acoustic and many performers find it a pleasure to sing and make music there. The large multi-level churchyard, from which most of the memorials have been removed, also provides space for events and outdoor performances.
The building access is very much of its time. Even though toilet facilities were added in the 1970s, it is not easy to enter or move within unless you are fit and well.
Some important steps have already been completed. The churchyard is now regularly mowed and maintained and there are work parties to make the churchyard more environmentally friendly. We have a new notice board and an attractive blacksmith-made handrail now runs up the side of the main approach path. We have also contributed to several maintenance jobs and the cost of insurance.
The bigger projects include making better access including changes inside the building and enhancing the vestry as a go-to place for meetings and gatherings.
