Church Of St Tysilio Llandysilio Powys

Church of St. Tysilio

A Grade II Listed Building in Llandysilio, Powys

These intimate photographs I took recently are of the church of St Tysilio. 

Whilst on an arts and craft course we wandered around the church and the ground.

For many a year I have been fond of churches they amaze me the detail that is inside them and outside. I love the colourful patterned window, so much work and effort has gone into these beautiful old buildings. Peace is always felt once you walk inside. 

St Tysilio church is set in beautiful surrounding countryside just of the A483 on the Powys Shropshire Border. A place of peace and tranquility.

This is a piece I found about St Tysilio which may or may not relate to the church above but more than likely does.  If anyone has any info regarding the church I would be happy to add it to the blog.

Tysilio The church is dedicated to St. Tysilio. Tysilio (also known as Sulian) was born towards the end of the sixth century. His father was Brochwel, the reigning prince of Old Powys, living at Pengwern (Shrewsbury). At an early age Tysilio felt drawn to the religious life, to serve God as a monk. His father was strongly opposed to the idea. It was an unsettled time, with Powys constantly harassed from the neighbouring province of Mercia. Brochwel intended his son to be a leader in his army.

Seeing no other way, Tysilio fled while out hunting one day with his brothers. He went to join the Abbott Gwyddfarch’s community at Meifod, near Welshpool. In order to avoid a further encounter with his father, Tysilio was sent to live on a small island (known as Ynys Sulian – Sulian’s Island) in the Menai Straits. After seven years he returned to Meifod to succeed Gwyyfarch as Abbot.

Tysilio’s problems were not over however. His father died soon after the battle of Chester (about 603 AD) and was succeeded by Iago, Tysilio’s elder brother. A couple of years later Iago also died, leaving no son to take his place. Iago’s widow, in an effort to retain the power she had enjoyed as his wife, resolved to withdraw Tysilio from his abbey and marry him, making him king of Powys. When Tysilio refused her ‘offer’ she used her influence to make life difficult for the community in the abbey. In the hope that his absence would ease the persecution, Tysilio, with some of his monks, crossed the sea to Brittany where he settled in the neighbourhood of St. Malo. There he set up a monastery and remained there until his death in about 650.