Llandysilio - St. Tysilio's Church

St. Tysilio's Church &
the Menai Bridge

Located on Church Island, in the shadows of the Menai Strait bridges, St. Tysilio's is one of the most familiar of the small churches on the island. The churchyard and the nearby Belgian Promenade are popular promenade routes for local residents and tourists alike.

Tysilio was the son of Brochfael Ysgythrog, king of Powys. He fled his father's court to follow the religious life, eventually coming to Anglesey where he founded a hermitage on an island in the Menai Strait around 630AD. After seven years he moved on to become Abbot at Meifod, Powys, where he had started his religious training. He is thought by many to be the same person as St. Suliac, who set up a religious centre in Brittany.

St. Tysilio's Church interior

As with all early religious sites, the original buildings are long gone. The current building dates to the early 15th century, but extensive restorations were done in the 1890s. The window at the east end of the church (in the photo at the right) was installed at this time, but is a reproduction of the original 15th century one. The original wooden trusses for the roof were preserved. The octagonal baptismal font originates from the 14th century.

One unusual but attractive feature is the main door. The opening in the wall is rectangular, with a fitting door, but a massive oak frame with a round arched top has been fitted around the door.

Return to Churches and Chapels of Anglesey

Aerial image

A-Z of the Isle of Anglesey

A new book by Warren Kovach, author of this web site

We're on Social Media