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Subject: [GWYNEDD] Penystryd Coffin Plates
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 20:17:03 EST

I have been reading a memorial to a Merionethshire preacher William Williams
o'r Wern, who was born in Llanfachreth about 1781. The memorial includes a
description of Capel Penystryd in Trawsfynydd which says that "The gallery was
decorated by a large number of coffin plates which contained the names of those
who were buried in the adjoining cemetery".

I have seen the outside of Capel Penystryd, but I have not been inside, is
there a list member who has been inside the building who could tell me if the
coffin plates are still there?

Coffin plates also use to adorn the Parish Church in Dolgellau until the
First World War when they were removed and melted for the war effort,
unfortunately. Is placing coffin plates in the church / chapel something unique to
Penystryd and Dolgellau Church or was it also done in other areas? If it was more
widespread I would be very pleased to hear of any surviving examples of this
tradition anywhere in Wales.

all the best

Alwyn

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