At the time of the Tithe of 1840, Ardudwy comprised 14 parishes. These were, Llanbedr, Llanfair, Llandanwg, Llanfihangel-y-traethau, Llandecwyn, Llanfrothen, the township of Nantmor, Maentwrog, Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd, all in the northern part of the commote, known as Ardudwy Uwch Artro, being north or above the river Artro. To the south of the river, known as Is Artro (below Artro), the parishes of Llanenddwyn, Llanddwywe, Llanaber and Llanelltud make up the remainder.

It is thought that these parish boundaries precede the use of the parish as administrative units in the 13^th century, and that they were the boundaries of ancient townships. Although the present church buildings date mostly from the 18^th and 19^th centuries, their sites are ancient places of early Christian worship. The circle of coastal churches continues into Eifionnydd and Llŷn. They remind us how important the western seas were to early Ardudwy in terms of European connections and influences. Many of the church sites still encapsulate the silence and peace associated with places of prayer over many centuries.

Detailed references to the churches of Ardudwy will be found in the ‘History of Merioneth, vol 2, ed. J.Beverley Smith and Llinos Beverley Smith, published by the MHRS, Cardiff 2001. Sadly, this essential reference book is also out of print and copies should be sought in libraries and archives. Specific references, photographs and maps will be found in the same volume in Andrew Davidson’s ‘Parish Churches’ and Huw Pryce’s The Medieval Church’ sections and in Appendix 2, Parishes and Townships in Medieval Merioneth, J Beverely Smith.