Church of St Tysul

The Church of St Tysul is a predominantly 15th-century church, with a tower incorporating elements possibly from the 13th century. It is a building of group value, representing a significant contribution to the local heritage. The most striking feature is the fine, tall tower, which has a battered plinth with a moulded pointed west door, originally hollow-moulded with an eroded hood, now fitted with 19th-century doors. A 3-light Perpendicular style traceried window, renewed in 1847, sits at the base of the tower, which is further characterised by small, 15th-century, 2-light cusped bell-openings, a corbel table, a parapet, and corner gargoyles. A northeast stair tower is also present.

The nave and chancel have slate roofs with terracotta ridges and cross finials, and are supported by coped cables. Lean-to aisles extend from the nave. The north aisle has a 1874 Bath stone door, richly moulded and shafted, flanked by two pointed windows with intersected tracery, possibly dating from around 1830. Above the doorway sits an ancient carved cross set into the stonework. The south aisle features one 1874 window decorated with ballflower motifs, and two windows with intersected tracery. The chancel was rebuilt in 1874 and now includes an arched, blocked opening on the north side, a traceried north window, and an ornate, traceried east window with a reset carved head above. A south chancel lean-to features a traceried window and door.

The tower's interior boasts a rubble barrel vault, a rare feature in Cardiganshire, and incorporates a Romano-British inscribed stone reset into the north wall. A hollow-moulded, depressed-arched north stair door is also present. A late 19th-century timber tower screen separates the nave. The nave has sturdy, unmoulded, pointed 3-bay arcades on square rubble piers, which were plastered before 1874. A king-post roof was installed in 1874, with similar arcades leading to the tower and chancel. The north aisle houses a retooled medieval 4-lobed font standing on a circular pier, and a 20th-century Lady Chapel altar which incorporates an ancient stone found near Coedfoel, bearing a cross inscription. Rood-loft stairs are located on the right side of the aisle, and a squint is present at the east end of the south aisle. A decorative, 1874 stone pulpit by Boulton of Cheltenham stands in the south aisle.

The chancel has an 1874 roof with arch-braced trusses supported by stone angel corbels. The east window is elaborately traceried and contains stained glass dating from circa 1919 by W.E. Tower.

Several monuments are present within the church. At the east end of the south aisle is a slate slab dedicated to John Lewis of Dinascerdin (died 1788). In the nave are fine marble plaques commemorating Eliza Lloyd of Alltyrodin (died 1805) and D Lloyd (died 1822), signed by D. Mainwaring. A Gothic marble monument to John Lloyd (died 1841) is located in the north aisle.

Historical records indicate the church was possibly thatched until 1783. A photograph from 1859, located in the vestry, depicts the church with a low, single roof over the nave and south aisle. The 1874 restoration is documented as involving a complete rebuilding of the chancel and raising of the nave roof.