Located off a public footpath to the north of Llanychaer, is the charming Llanllawer church and graveyard, also known as St. David’s church. The current church was rebuilt in the 1860s, serving the community until the 1990s when it became privately owned. Early medieval crosses in the graveyard and on church walls, along with a holy well fed by a natural spring in the neighbouring field, suggest an early medieval foundation date for this site. A recent archaeological survey also indicates that an earlier church building extended further south.
The church is located on the northern slopes of Cwm Gwaun, the Gwaun Valley, that was likely shaped by water flowing at high pressure under ice during past ice ages, as well as by large volumes of meltwater from thawing glaciers. The neighbouring spring known as Ffynnon Gapan or Llanllawer Sainted Well, is steeped in local tradition with groups still visiting the site to leave offerings today. It is believed that the well has healing properties and grants wishes. The water from the well was said to be very successful at healing sore eyes. The overgrown graveyard and broken-down church provide excellent homes to plants and animals. There are birds nesting in the church, insects living on the plants, and lichens growing on the gravestones. Lichens are a fascinating partnership between fungi and algae. They are very sensitive to pollution and thrive in places where the air is clean.