St Beuno’s Church and Chapel

In Clynnog Fawr, the shrine to Saint Bueno is a disproportionately large church for the size of the village, it dominates the area, and it’s probably one of the most important churches in North Wales.

The present church dates from 1530, it is cruciform in plan and Late Perpendicular in style. It was a collegiate church until the dissolution of the monasteries. Within the church you can see a good condition rood screen, some carved miserere seats and a primitive instrument ‘Dog tongs’ for removing dogs from the church. There is also an ancient wooden chest carved from a single log of ash, which was used to collect alms from the pilgrims travelling to Bardsey Island. The chest is believed to date from the Middle Ages, and the padlock from around 1600. There is also stone, known as St. Bueno’s stone (Maen Bueno) which is said to have the finger marks of St. Bueno. On the southern side of the church, connected by a dark cloister is the ancient Chapel of St. Bueno, also known as ‘Chapel of the Grave’. At the tomb of St. Bueno, many wonderful cures have reputedly occurred.