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NOTES ON EXCURSIONS GWAENYSGOR CHURCH, BODRHYDDAN, ST. ASAPH- 1st MAY, 1954. In spite of inclement weather, there was a large gathering at this meeting. The first place of interest visited was Gwaenysgor Church where the Rector, Rev. J. Gwilym Jones, received the mem- bers with words of welcome to his ancient church. A short survey of the foundation was given by Mr. Sharp. This small church, within its circular churchyard, which may be of pagan origin, stands out conspicuously in the neighbouring landscape. The orientation is due East, and its dedication to the B. V. M. September 8th suggests that the present edifice is on the site of a I Ith or 12th century Norman foundation. There can be no doubt that there was a pre-Norman Church. Domesday 1086 In Carcarnacan et Wenescol (r) est terra et una aecclesia wasta.' Waste implies a stone structure for a wooden edifice could easily be rebuilt. An earlier dedication is inferred in Cancamacan, whatever this means, for the last element, Acan is the Irish Ocean, Welsh Ychan, probably of the Irish-Viking period. On an inscribed stone at Llanllyr, the name, with those of undoubted Irish origin, is found. Tesquitus Ditoc, Madomnua, Occan filius Asa. Itgen dedit' meaning the waste land of Dudoch, Dyfynog, Ychan son of Asa. Hyddgen gave it. The proximity of Carnychan to Llanasa is worthy of note. In Gwaenysgor, the form scor Old Norse, Skar, suggests a cliff site. The church has been described by the late Mr. Beer, (Flint. Hist. Soc. Journ. 1919-1920) and the late Mr. H. Hughes, (Arch. Camb. June 1932) the one before, and the other after, the last restoration. Some additional information appears in a MS. by a former Church-warden, Mr. Allen Jones. The church has features which caused speculation in the past but the last restoration solved some of the problems. The rectangular stone walls appear boat-shaped by accident or design. The entrance is now through the South porch, a West door never having existed. Re- building in 1931 revealed features previously unknown. The opening from the nave was found to be an almost semi-elliptical archway of rough masonry of the 12th and possibly of the 11th century. One of the old stones is the keystone of the rebuilt arch. Whether this wide archway, measuring 6ft. 3ins., led into a chapel or other building was not discernible. The porch with its vaulted stone inner roof is 16th century work. This late survival of stone roof construction has a counterpart in the slab roof passage leading to St. Beuno's Chapel at Clynnog Fawr. The wide opening into the nave had been reduced by building in sepulchral slabs and stones, one of which, now set in the South wall of the sanctuary, shows a 12th century triple roll. A massive and unique oak structure, with gouged out ornamentation was placed to form the door frame. The date of the