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Rug Chapel & Llangar Church...

Rug Chapel is a rare example of a little altered private 17th century chapel. It's founder, 'Old Blue Stockings' Colonel William Salusbury, collaborated with Bishop William Morgan, who was the first translator of the Bible into Welsh.

The chapel's plain exterior gives little hint of the riches within, an interior which reflects the Colonel's 'High Church' religious views.

A rood screen separated clergy from congregation, members of which could feast their eyes on carved wooden angels and an elaborate roof decorated from end to end. Nothing is spared the artist's hand, not even the beams, which are painted with intertwining rose motifs.

There is more carving to admire at ground level, in the alter rails, family pews, painted gallery and bench ends. As a counterpoint to this exuberance, a ghoulish wall painting of a recumbent skeleton serves as a reminder of mortality.

This wonderful little building makes a large impact on visitors. Architect Sir Edwin Lutyens wrote that the chapel influenced his work, including the Viceroy's House in New Delhi, built 1912-30.

Llangar Church is older than Rug. This small medieval building stands in an idyllic setting a mile or so south of Rug overlooking the confluence of the Dee and Alwen rivers.

Like Rug, Llangar takes visitors back to another age. The church, superseded by a new one at nearby Cynwyd in the 1850's, retains many ancient features, including extensive 15th century wall paintings, a 17th century figure of death, old beams, box pews, pulpit and minstrels' gallery.

BUSYBUS looks forward to being part of your Welsh memories!!

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