St John Evangelist, Rhosllanerchrugog
Cemetery Road
Penson’s last church in the Romanesque style, dating from 1852-53 and stone built throughout Listed as ‘a good example of a Romanesque revival church, in which the stylistic vocabulary is carried through in both architecture and interior fittings.’ When recorded, the most complete and untouched example of a Penson church.
Exterior
The church is cruciform, with a rather thin tower in the angle between the chancel and the south transept. It displays much carved detail including rows of corbels fashioned as human and animal heads; zig-zag over the shafted windows and a massive doorway with three orders of columns.
Interior
Broad round arches to chancel and transepts; one of Penson’s rather lightweight wooden roofs supported on large corbels with lively carving. Arcading below the E window.
The church closed in 2005 and was later bought for residential conversion. A detailed photographic record was made on 8 June 2013 by Graham Lloyd of Wrexham History, who has kindly allowed these images to be used: see website below.
The fittings, when photographed in 2013, were exceptionally complete. They included a handsome timber pulpit, altar table and choir stalls and an elegant stone font, all with Romanesque detail. Only the altar rail appears to have been replaced.
The Building Today
Conversion is ongoing. The churchyard, whilst wooded and overgrown, can be visited and is best accessed from Cemetery Road.
Text: John Hainsworth
Sources
https://www.wrexham-history.com/st-johns-parish-church-rhos-2/
The Buildings of Wales: Clwyd. Hubbard 1986.
https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/161922/details/rhosllanerchrugog-church-st-john-the-evangelist
https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300017089-church-of-saint-john-evangelist-rhosllanerchrugog
