Llandecwyn

Llandecwyn is a hamlet and former Church in Wales (Anglican) parish stretching from the estuary of the Afon Dwyryd at Pont Briwet to the hills of the Rhinogs in Gwynedd, Wales. The bulk of the population (between 40 and 50 houses) is now located around Cilfor close to the A496 and served by Llandecwyn railway station, with a cluster of under ten houses around the road junction at Capel Brontecwyn, and other isolated houses and farms scattered across the hillsides. Formerly, there was a sizable population closer to the church and the lakes: Llyn Tecwyn Isaf and Llyn Tecwyn Uchaf.

Map of Llandecwyn, Talsarnau, UK

Today the former parish is part of the Bro Ardudwy ministry area, which includes Harlech, a few kilometres to the southwest, and Barmouth. The church of Saint Tecwyn lies at an altitude of a little over 150m, and is the only ancient church in Meirionnydd not on the coast (although the present building is actually Victorian). It is dedicated to Saint Tecwyn and boasts spectacular views over northern parts of Cardigan Bay and across to Portmerion.

The church marks the end of the pilgrimage route, Saint Tecwyn's Way. This starts at the church of Llanfihangel-y-traethau to the southwest, which has a window depicting the saint coming ashore in his coracle.

There is an active chapel (Bryn Tecwyn - Welsh Presbyterian) and a bus stop, both on the main road, but no shops or school.

In the past, Llandecwyn had other churches. There was Llenyrch Methodist Chapel, built in 1861 as a Sunday school, open until the 1920s and now a private house. There was also Brontecwyn Chapel (Weslyan Methodist), home of the Llandecwyn Revolt School. The chapel closed in the 1990s and is now a holiday rental cottage. Capel Bach, Brontecwyn, is now a woodstore for a larger house. Capel Newydd (Calvinistic Methodist) chapel, was just a few yards from Capel Bach, but is now a ruin.

Notable Residents
16th century bible translator and hymn writer Edmund Prys was born in the parish.
David Tecwyn Evans (1876 - 1957), Methodist preacher and hymn writer ('Duw a Thad yr holl genhedloedd'), was born at Aberdeunant Uchaf in the parish and attended a 'National School' based at the church.

Llandecwyn Revolt School
Llandecwyn was the focus for a power struggle between the UK Government which was Conservative, and largely Anglican, and the local Meirionethshire county council which was largely Liberal and non-conformist. The 1902 Education Act forced local councils to pay for all schools, including church schools. The council was loathed to support the school at St Tecwyn's church, so tried to close it down. An government inquiry followed which decided that Llandecwyn didn't need a school at all. The council in response opened a school, the 'Revolt School', at Brontecwyn Chapel, which rapidly grew larger than the 'National School' at the church. In 1906, a Liberal landslide in the general election swept the Conservatives from power, the Revolt School was deemed a success, and the county was given permission to build a new council school at Llandecwyn.