OS grid reference SM811240 Sovereign state United Kingdom Police Dyfed-Powys Post town Haverfordwest | Country Wales Postcode district SA62 Fire Mid and West Wales Principal area Pembrokeshire | |
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St Elvis (Welsh: Llaneilfyw, [ɬanəilvəu]) is a parish in Pembrokeshire, Wales, about 4 miles (6 km) east of St David's. At 200 acres (81 ha) it is one of the smallest parishes in Wales but its rector was previously the superior of the vicar of the church at Solva (today dependent upon nearby Whitchurch instead). The parish of Whitchurch and St Elvis together form the community of Solva.
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Name
The name is a Latinized form of the Welsh saint Eilfyw, also well known by his Gaelic name Ailbe. Former forms of the name include Llanelvewe and Llanailfyw. According to Rhyddferch's 11th-century Life of Saint David, Elvis baptized Saint David in AD 454 at Porth Clais in Dyfed. (Note, however, that this dating seems unlikely.)
History
A 5000-year-old cromlech—including two early British tombs—lies nearby, although they were damaged by a tenant farmer in the 19th century who removed two of the stones.
GENUKI notes church and chapel records dating from the 19th century, with two farms. There is still a St Elvis farm (Vagwr Eilw) and the ruins of the earlier monastery and church, covered with blackthorn. St Elvis's Well is also nearby and continued to produce 360 gallons an hour amid the 1976 drought.
Religious sites
There is a shrine to St Elvis, located at 51°52′12.7″N 5°10′43.2″W.