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Trellech was largely destroyed in 1291 as a result of a raid following a dispute over alleged deer poaching. The
Black Death in 1340 and again in 1350 and, subsequently, the ravages of Owain Glyndwr and his men early in the 1400's further reduced the prosperity and in consequence the importance of Trellech. A church on this site was
endowed by King Ffernwael and King Meurig, rulers of Gwent in the 7th and 8th centuries. This was probably a wooden structure. The preaching cross in the churchyard may date back to this time, and so may the Saxon font. The
present building is well over 600 years old: the date of the early English Gothic stonework being between 1225 and 1272, and that of the Decorated Gothic up to 1350. When, in 1972, the weathercock was removed from the spire for
reguilding, it was found to have been made in Ross-On-Wye in 1792. The original spire fell, damaging the roof of the nave. A contemporary reference attributes this to lightning and storms. The cage housing the three bells in
the belfry is of a type similar to that found in other belfries constructed about the year 1700. The church was in a very neglected state at the end of the last century when it was extensively renovated and reroofed. The
Belgian slates then used were replaced by Welsh slates in 1961. The chancel was replastered in 1972 and painted white. During 1974 considerable repair work has been done to the north and south aisles, and in 2001 the majority
of the Churchyard dry stone wall was removed and rebuilt. New stone floors have been laid, the walls were replastered and the organ overhauled and resited. This work was found to be essential due to dampness in certain parts of
the building and the discovery of dry rot. There remains a great deal yet to be done to the building if it is to be brought up to a reasonable standard. Records are held by the Church going back to the year 1692 and a complete
list of Vicars and churchwardens will be found hanging by the entrance to the south isle: these date from the year 1359.
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