St Michael's Church, Llanvihangel Gobion


The Church of St Michael, Llanvihangel Gobion, Monmouthshire is a parish church with datable origins to the 15th century. There is no record of a Victorian restoration, although one must have occurred, but there is documented evidence of a "light" reconstruction in 1925. Since the date, the church has barely been altered. It remains an active parish church and a Grade II* listed building.

History

The datable elements of the church are from the 15th century, although its origins may be earlier, it sits in a circular churchyard and an earlier sculpture has been incorporated into its South wall near the tower. The similarities of the roof-line and tower with those at St Cadoc's Church, Llangattock-juxta-Usk may suggest the involvement of the Gloucestershire engineer John Upton in a Victorian rebuilding, although there is no documented evidence of this. Upton also undertook work at the nearby Pant-y-Goitre Bridge. The architectural historian John Newman writes that the church was "lightly restored in 1925". It remains an active parish church and a Grade II* listed building.

Architecture and description

The church is constructed of Old Red Sandstone rubble. The most notable interior features are the "timber aisle-posts, polyganol and moulded", Cadw recording the "good internal carpentry including unusual timber arcade".
Of particular interest is a crudely carved stone depicting two angels holding what appears to be a shroud possibly below that of another figure which could represent a figure of the resurrected Christ. This is possibly from a chapel or other religious establishment which originally stood here. Also of note is the impressively large base of a 14th century preaching cross opposite the South porch.