Standing on a bleak exposed moorland, St Mary's is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century though rebuilding and extensions were added in the 16th and 17th Centuries.
The village it was built to serve consisted of no more than 22 cottages, a 14th Century survey identified that there were 3 free tenants and 19 unfree tenants. (unfree meant that they did not own the land they worked, nor the cottage they lived in, but were allowed to keep a percentage of the fruits of their labour.
The worn flagstone floor is supposedly original, surviving longer than the village of Tal-y-Llyn, which roughly translates to english "above the lake".
The roof beams still in place date to the 15th and 17th century
It was in the 14th Century during the time of the Black Death, that the village ceased to exist.
St. Mart's survived as it was classed as a "Chapel of Ease", providing pastoral services to the Parish of Llanbeulan.
The simple pews and chancellory date to the 18th century.
The original font was removed for fear of theft and was subsequently replaced in the 15th century which still stands today.
The church was in occasional use until the early 1990's. It is still consecrated.
The church is designated (1971) a Grade 1 listed building, the highest UK grade achievable.
It is under the care of "The Friends of Friendless Churches". A charitable organisation, supported with funds from CADW and the Church in Wales.
