The Chancel - Y Gangell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chancel (the 'top' end of a church surrounding the altar area) is reached through a neo- Norman arch with an unusually grotesque carved head at the apex and angels on supporting pillars.  Whilst some believe that the head depicts the prophet Moses coming down from Mountain Sinai, having met with God and overcome with His shinning glory (hence the eyes appeared blinded), it does seem odd that Moses has such a horrified expression.  Another explanation is that it is an effigy of the devil, but why this should be facing the congregation in such a direct manner again is uncertain.  Like most of the details in the chancel, perhaps these figures were acquired by William Williams on the return from his European tour, and have more to do with personal taste than theological statements.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alongside the North and South walls are a series of cathedral benches or family seats reserved for the Williams family.  Ornately carved, there would also have been a series of smaller benches opposite for the servants. 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Functioning as a communion rail, is a wooden sheep-fold pen structure.  The altar, constructed of stone, is supported by two pillars and has a decorative tile arrangement with Christian symbols of the Chi-Ro (cr the first two letter of Christ in Greek), a Cross and IHS (the first three letters of Jesus in Greek). 

 

                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The seat (stall) for the Vicar is carved from pitch pine and contains the IHS symbol and also depicts  the Lamb and Flag surmounting a scroll sealed with 7 seals, an image from the Book of Revelation chapter 5.  This was designed and carved by a local craftsman in memory of M. A. Thomas, who died whilst Vicar of the parish in 1940.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the East wall, either side of the altar in the Chancel area there is a pair of gothic crocketed tomb recesses containing mediaeval effigies of a high ranking Knight and Lady.  The pair have been said to have been brought from France: he rests in military uniform with sword with a dog at his feet, whilst she reclines her head on an ornate pillow and feet on a cushion roll.

A tablet above each figure explains in Welsh that these are in memory of the Lords of Glynneath (for example Gwehelyth Rhys 1092, Sir Leison de Afan, 1218, Rhys ab Sion, 1460) who are buried below, from whom the Aberpergwm family is descended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ceiling of the chancel is ribbed and has flower-designed pendants and 4 angel corbels at each corner with the coat of arms of the Williams family.  Above the East Window there is the Lamb and Flag symbol, whilst opposite this is a dragon (a symbol of Wales, or perhaps, a representation of evil overcome by the lamb)

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bellcote East Window Memorials
St Cadoc's Church Tour The Nave Graves and Churchyard