NEWCHURCH, a parish, in the union of KINGTON, hundred of PAINSCASTLE, county of RADNOR, SOUTH WALES, 7 miles (S. W. by
W.) from Kington; containing 155 inhabitants. This parish is situated nearly at the south-eastern extremity of the
county, on the confines of Herefordshire, and is intersected by a road leading from Hay to New Radnor; and the small river
Arrow, which passes through it with a winding course, separates it on the north from the parish of Colva, and on the east
from that of Michael-Church. It comprises by admeasurement 16241 acres, the whole titheable, with the exception of 10
acres of inclosed, and 400 acres. of uninclosed land, the latter being subject to a right of commonage; the surface is
hilly and the soil various, running in some places into a red clayey earth: the lower lands, which are fertile and
productive, are well cultivated, but the hills are mostly in a state of nature, and serve chiefly for the depasturing of
sheep. The village is situated in that part of the county called Radnor Forest, but the parish is nearly bare of wood, the
tract retaining the above name having long since lost all traces of its original character. The living is a discharged
rectory, rated in the king's books at £5. 6. 8., and endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty; net
income, £171; patron, Bishop of St. David's: a small estate termed Catriggin belongs to the benefice. The church,
dedicated to St. Mary, is a small edifice, consisting of a nave and chancel, without tower or spire, and possessing no
architectural details of importance; it is situated on the right bank of the Arrow, in the midst of hills of forbidding
rather than pleasing aspect. Twelve children are instructed in a day school at their parents' expense.