Kemeys Commander (Welsh: Cemais Comawndwr) is a village in Monmouthshire, in South Wales
Kemeys Commander, 3 miles north-west of Usk, comprises a few farms, cottages, and a church slightly off the main road leading to Abergavenny within a graceful bend of the River Usk. Its unusual name is probably derived from the fact that the patronage of the church was at one time held by the Knights Templars and was a commandery or preceptory, as their houses were termed. In the 17th century their successors, the Knights Hospitallers, drew �2 13s. 4d. per annum from demesne lands in this parish. There may have been a hermitage here in early days. It is, however, doubtful whether the Kemeys family ever held it and its ancient name may have been Kenlis. It was "farmed" by and Edward Kemeys, perhaps as chaplain of the chantry of St Nicholas in the parish church of Usk; in 1603 it belonged to Edward Morgan.
To the north is Kemeys Bridge, built 1905-6, which takes the main road over the Usk; a bridge has been here as far back as the 16th century, to claim the least, as for ford just above the bridge could only be used when the water in the river was very low.
The chuch of All Saints is held with Bettws Newydd and has some interesting features. A small low screen divides the nave from the presbetery, taking the place of the usual chancel arch as the whole building is contained under one roof; the screen is plain and not of good workmanship, the only ornamentation being slight columns with crocketed pinnacles on each side of the entry. The altar slab, apparently not pre-Reformation, is severely mounted on plain stone squares and in keeping with the austere lines of the building. There are also a modern terfoiled aumbry and a piscina in the south wall. The east window is Perpedicular and high, and on the south side of the nave is an exceedingly small window which lighted the former rood-loft. The beams of the slightly flattened barrel roof and the wall-plate are of some age. The font is octagonal. The small south door has been built-in and entrace to the building is through the timbered west porch above which is a turret containing two bells, one of which is of 13th century date but slightly smaller than those at Gwernesey. Only the steps and base remain of the churchyard cross. In the middle of the 16th century the provision of a light in the church, probably that before the high altar, was charged upon three aces of land in the parish. The church house in the hamlet retains many features of the Renaissance period. |
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