Arts & Crafts

After two days looking at the stunning beauty of the natural world, today it’s the turn of something manmade.  St Mark’s church in the village of Brithdir is absolutely magical; a wonder of Arts and Crafts artistry commissioned in 1895 by Louisa Tooth in memory of her second husband Charles. 

Almost hidden from the road, the building can just about be seen amongst its wooded grounds. We make our way through the overgrowth graveyard, hoping against hope that the church will be open - and it is. 

Far from typical of local architecture, this is a world if Mediterranean colours - warm terracotta and azure blue.  From the comparative darkness and simplicity of the interior, the gleaming copper altar frontal and elevated pulpit shine brilliantly, beautifully decorated with hammered designs. The wooden choir benches and altar rail are of Spanish Chestnut decorated with carvings of animals, unnoticed unless you look closely - and so appropriate to this rural setting. 

The architect was Henry Wilson who became Master of the Art Workers Guild in 1917, and who cast the altar frontal himself.  Later he went on to design other churches, most featuring the uncoloured yet complexly pattered plain glass leaded windows seem in the church. 

It’s such a special place, small and unassuming, but a very precious memorial to love. More information here, in the Friends of Friendless Churches leaflet. 

https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/church/st-marks-brithdir-gwynedd/

My main’s a general view of the church, with more details in extras.