The Church was originally a Cistercian Abbey founded by a community of Monks from Strata Florida, in Cardiganshire, who in 1186 settled at Rhedynog Felin in Llanwnda Parish, near Caernarfon. From there they moved to Conwy some time before 1197. The surviving remains date back to the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries.
When Edward I built Conwy Castle, he wanted the Monk's Cloisters for his Garrison and made them a gift of land at Maenan, up the river. The Church was then used by Edward's men and for many years Conwy was inhabited solely by English families.
Original Index No. H0131.