Church of St. Fachtna

Freestanding single-cell double-height Roman Catholic church, built c.1900. Comprising six-bay nave with canted chancel to east, single-bay single-storey sacristy to western bay of front (south) and lean-to single-bay single-storey extension to rear. Pitched and hipped slate roofs with fish scale banding, terracotta ridge cresting and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered bellcote to eastern gable with wrought-iron cruciform finial. Rendered chimneystack to sacristy. Rendered walls with chamfered corners and lined-and-ruled rendered buttresses to side (west) elevation. Lined-and-ruled quoins to chancel and sacristy corners. Linear scoring to front and rear elevations of nave at sill level. Pointed arch window openings with chamfered lined-and-ruled rendered surrounds and sills to nave in single and paired arrangements, having lead-lined quarry glazed and stained glass windows. Ogee-headed window openings with chamfered lined-and-ruled rendered surrounds and sills in single and paired arrangements to side (west) elevation, having render hood mouldings with label stops and lead-lined stained glass windows. Oculus window openings within chamfered lined-and-ruled rendered surrounds to chancel, having lead-lined stained glass trefoil windows within ashlar limestone plate tracery. Pointed arch door opening with chamfered lined-and-ruled rendered surround to front elevation, render hood moulding with label stops and double-leaf timber battened doors. Pointed arch door opening with chamfered lined-and-ruled rendered surround to sacristy, having stone steps and timber battened door. Raised cruck queen post trussed roof to interior, having stone corbel imposts. Carved timber altar and pulpit to west. Painted Stations of the Cross set within carved timber frames to nave. Recent concrete stepped approach to front of site, having rendered parapets, set within own grounds.

This church, having retained many of its historic features, including stained glass windows, hood mouldings and bellcote, makes an important contribution to the surrounding landscape. Its interior is noteworthy, and retains impressive carved timber features such as its fine altar and roof trusses. Set on an elevated site, it is visible from a distance and makes a dramatic addition to the roadside.