St Illtyd’s Church (2)

Legend suggests that St Illtyd himself brought the Sutton Stone font to St Illtyd’s Church, Oxwich. The decoration of the chancel was instigated by Leslie Young, artistic director of Sadler’s Wells in 1931, who used to holiday nearby.

The chancel of this church marks the original 6th century cell, and retains its Norman arch. The nave was later lengthened, probably at the same time as the tower was added, in the 14th century. The east window and the figures of a knight and his lady in a niche in
the north wall are from the same period.

Entry to the church is through the west door, in the tower, where there are two tombstones mounted against the walls with the following plaques:
“GRAVE COVER STONE” found used as a slab, face upwards, inside the inner door of the church, one side having been cut away level for this purpose. The fragment of the inscription which remains proves that it commemorates William De La Lake, who was rector of Oxwich, from 1320 to 1323 AD. The stone was placed here in 1890.

“GRAVE COVER STONE” of the early 14th or late 13th century. Found face downward in the nave of the Church and placed here in 1590. The inscription translated reads:

“Hugh formerly the pious rector of Saint Illtyd’s Church, lies here.”
In a niche in the north wall lie the figures of a knight and his lady.
Legend suggests that St. Illtyd himself brought the Sutton Stone font to Oxwich.

Looking out over the vastness of Oxwich Bay from the graveyard, behind the Chancel, I came across this gravestone which I found particulary poignant. It was inscribed:
“A SAILOR OF THE GREAT WAR ROYAL NAVY 1ST FEBRUARY 1916 KNOWN UNTO GOD”

For opening times in August see the notice board in the porch.

Grid Reference 504861
Postcode: SA3 1LS

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