St Philip's Church, Caerdeon

St Philip's Church, Caerdeon
St Philip's Church, Caerdeon is located in Gwynedd
St Philip's Church, Caerdeon
St Philip's Church, Caerdeon
Location in Gwynedd
52°44′38″N 3°59′58″W / 52.744°N 3.9994°W / 52.744; -3.9994
OS grid referenceSH 651 181
LocationCaerdeon, Gwynedd
CountryWales
DenominationChurch in Wales
WebsiteFriends of Friendless Churches
Architecture
Functional statusRedundant
Heritage designationGrade I
Designated9 November 1992
Architect(s)John Louis Petit
Architectural typeChurch
Specifications
MaterialsStone, slate roof

St Philip's Church, Caerdeon, near Barmouth, in Gwynedd, North Wales, is a redundant church and a Grade I listed building. The church was built in 1862 for the  Rev. William Edward Jelf, a High church clergyman and Senior Censor at Christ Church, Oxford. It was designed by his brother-in-law, John Louis Petit. Petit was a noted architectural critic and artist, but St Philip's is one of only two buildings known to be by him. Jelf wanted a church on his newly acquired estate where his Oxford seminarians could worship in the English language. This led to a considerable controversy as there was an existing legal obligation to hold services in Welsh in all churches in Welsh-speaking areas. Jelf lost his case in the Court of Arches but was supported by the Bishop of Bangor who used his influence and position in the House of Lords to secure the passing of the English Services in Wales Act in 1863, which allowed for English-language services in certain circumstances.