Healing wells, weeping chancels, 2,000-year-old yew trees and flags from the Zulu War are among the more unusual treasures waiting to be discovered this weekend when churches across Wales open their doors for visitors.
From churches on farms and in marshes to cathedrals built on the footprints of saints, Wales’ rich ecclesiastical heritage will be on display as more than 200 churches take part in this year’s Open Churches Day on Saturday (Sept 18).
Alongside the many architectural and artistic gems, such as ancient Celtic stones, Medieval wall paintings, prized Victorian stained glass and daring modern sculpture, found in churches which are listed buildings, there are other less obvious attractions. There are carvings of double-headed dragons and mermaids to spot, a herb and apothecary garden to walk around, a prayer labyrinth to try, a cathedral mouse hunt to take part in and a honey fair to taste. Some of the churches have links with traditional Welsh tales and legends, such as the font where the infamous pirate “Barti Du” – Blackbeard – was baptised, the burial place of Dic Penderyn, killed in the Merthyr Riots, and the grave of Jemima “Fawr” who single-handedly scotched the French invasion of Fishguard 200 years ago. Some churches, too, are mentioned in the Mabinogion.
While many of the churches are open for visitors all the year round, this is an opportunity for them to highlight the treasures they contain that most of us miss or take for granted and also to celebrate their role in the community as sacred spaces. Visitors will also have the chance to look at important social documents, such as baptism and marriage registers. There will be guided tours, food and drink, exhibitions, activities for children and special services to welcome visitors.
The event is organised by Churches Tourism Network Wales which has details of churches taking part on its website, www.ctnw.co.uk.
Almost a third of the Grade One listed buildings in Wales are Church in Wales churches. Of its 1,430 places of worship, two-thirds are listed buildings.
The Bishop of Bangor, the Rt. Rev Andy John, supports Open Churches Day. He says:
“I look forward to the annual open church day because it is a great chance for our churches and chapel buildings across Wales to be enjoyed by so many people. Since this annual event began six years ago, more and more churches and chapels have discovered the added value visitors bring to the local congregation. Whether it is the peace and tranquillity of sacred space, a particular example of an architectural style or the chance to explore church records, visitors to our communities are delighted to find the church building open and welcoming.”
Dr Terry Stevens, International Tourism Consultant, said:
“The tourist to Wales is increasingly seeking those ‘special places’, they want to discover what makes our communities tick and they want to share in our strong sense of place. There is no better way of experiencing these aspects of a visit to Wales than in our diverse range and styles of churches and chapels. These building are at the very heart of every community in Wales. They are more often than not wonderful architectural and heritage icons whose very presence announces that a visitor has arrived! They are the focal point of community celebrations, customs, festivals and worship. And, for our visitors, they are an essential part of enjoying, understanding and appreciating Wales as a distinctive tourism destination. On Saturday, locals and visitors alike have the chance to explore many of these buildings, to escape the pressures of modern living for a few minutes and to listen to the way the stones speak to us about our common heritage and shared interests.”
Examples of churches taking part across Wales
– full list at www.ctnw.co.uk
North :
• St Tudno, Llandudno
Double-headed dragon carving and Medieval stigmata
• St Grwst, Llanwrst
Prince Llewelyn’s sarcophagus
• Bangor Cathedral
Green Man trail and mouse hunt
• Llanelian Church, Colwyn Bay
Medieval church with links with nearby cursing well
• St Winifrid’s, Abergele
Ancient pilgrimage site with standing stones and 2,000-year-old yews
• St Cadwaladr, Ynys Mon
A herb and apothecary garden and honey fair
• Sant Pedr, Llanbedrgoch
Mermaid carving on 600-year-old bench end.
Arwystli Deanery in the Bangor Diocese
is organising a “Church Crawl” for the 18th September. Start at St Idloes Church, Llanidloes or St Michael’s Church, Trefeglwys.
Mid
• St Mary, Llanywern
Celtic site, church in the marsh
• St Gastyn, Llangasty
Dates back to 420 AD
• St Llwchaiarn, Newtown
William Morris window
• St Mary and Llanfair Kilgeddin, between Usk and Abergavenny
See outstanding sgraffito coloured plasterwork decoration.
South-West
• St Mary, Aberavon
Burial place of Dic Penderyn
• St Davids, Llanddewi, Swansea
In a farmyard
• St Mary’s, Penard
Minstrel gallery and millennium window
• St Teilo, Llandeilo
Digital display of illuminated Gospel book
• All Saints, Llangorwen
First stone alter in Wales following the Reformation
• St Elidyr, Ludchurch Narberth
13th Century church on Cistercian Way, location for story from the Mabinogion
• St Mary Begelly, Kilgetty
Weeping chancel and squint
• St Peter, Little Newcastle
Church where pirate “Barti Du” is reported to have been baptised
South-East
• St Michael’s, Llanfihangel Rogiet
Open to the public for the first time in 37 years.
• St Mary’s, Rogiet
Has an exhibition of wedding dresses throughout the ages.
• St Mary’s, Magor
Architecture thought to be the work of the same masons who built Tintern Abbey
• St Thomas, Redwick
Learn about the Great Flood of 1606/7 which devastated southern Monmouthshire.
• St John the Baptist, Danescourt, Cardiff
A 1,000-year-old yew tree and the burial place of author Roald Dahl’s parents
• St Cadoc, Llancarfan
14th Century wallpaintings uncovered in 2008 and a 15th Century painted wooden screen
• St Margaret’s Roath, Cardiff
Grade 1 listed church which houses the Bute Mausoleum.
