St Cynhaearn's Church, Ynyscynhaearn

The church is dedicated to Cynhaiarn, a 5th-century saint. It was originally the parish church for Porthmadog.[1] Its nave dates from the 12th century, and the north transept was added in the 16th century.[2] The south transept was built in 1622.[1] Most of the interior fittings are Georgian in style and date from 1832. It came into the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches in 2003, since when repair work has been undertaken.[2]

An earlier grave records the early passing of David Owen (1712–1741), a local blind composer and harpist who was known as "Dafydd y Garreg Wen" or David of the White Rock, as he came from Garreg Wen (White Rock) Farm. Owen wrote a tune called Dafydd y Garreg Wen allegedly on his deathbed after calling for his harp.[6]

Amongst the memorials is one to John Ystumllyn (d. 1786), also known as Jack Black.[7] He was a black man brought back from Africa by a member of the Wynne family who lived at Ystumllyn, which can be seen from the church. It was fashionable at the time to have a black servant, and he was eventually given his own house. He had seven children and died at the end of the 18th century. Local people claim him as their ancestor.[3]

There is a memorial to James Spooner (1790–1856), the surveyor who built the Ffestiniog Railway and members of his family in the form of a stone urn surrounded by iron railings. It is located alongside the boundary wall, to the right when facing the church from the gate.

There are many children's graves. Daniel Morris, the first harbourmaster of Porthmadog, is buried there, together with three of his young daughters. There are also the graves of ropemakers, pilots, ships' captains and many young sailors drowned at sea, as well as that of Captain Thomas Jones, an ancestor of Lord Snowdon.[3]