Dating from the 12th century,[1] St Cwyfan's Church is dedicated to Saint Kevin, who founded the monastery at Glendalough in County Wicklow, Ireland.

In later years the sea slowly eroded around the coast in the two bays, therefore the peninsula was cut off, turning Cribinau into a small tidal island.

However, in 1893 a local architect, Harold Hughes, raised money to save the church by constructing a seawall around the Cribinau, and for the restoration of the building.

[3] In that year John Egerton, Bishop of Bangor, appointed an elderly English priest, Dr Thomas Bowles, to the parish and chapelry.

[3][4] The parishioners and churchwardens of Trefdraeth petitioned against Bowles's appointment, with the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion supporting and helping to fund their case.