Llangelynnin Old Church is one of the oldest churches in Wales, dating back to the 12th century and next to a 6th century holy well. Yet in this ancient place of worship, something new has been happening. Here, in this ‘thin place’ where heaven touches earth, we offer ‘Celtic Praise’ every month from April to October. This year’s season has begun with a glorious Communion Service on Easter Sunday, and continues on the third Sunday of every month … read on …
This year, we are taking ‘Walking Together’ as our theme, focusing on different aspects of pilgrimage each month. For that extra sense of pilgrimage, we offer an invitation to join others to walk up to the service. Meet in the middle car park (of three) on the Sychnant Pass at 1pm. Dress for changeable weather, with walkking boots and a drink/snack as there’s the chance to pause en route. We walk as friends, so please assess your level of fitness for a walk with some incline and stiles.
Easter Sunday’s sunrise service was utterly glorious. Moving, powerful, joyous … and a packed church!
Latest News and Events from Llangelynnin Old Church
-
Notice of Vestry Meeting and Electoral Roll Completion
Friends, This is to give notice of the completion of the Electoral Roll and advise members of the Annual Vestry Meeting which is to take place on Thursday 9th May at 4.30pm in the St. Mary’s Church Hall, Conwy. All members of the roll are encouraged to attend. Member of the Church in Wales, asContinue…
-
Celtic Praise – St Patrick’s Day and Dawn Communion on Easter Day
We hope you can join us in celebratory style for St. Patrick’s Day, and the last in the winter series of Celtic Praise services in St. Benedict’s before we move up to Llangelynnin for the summer. 6pm, St. Benedict’s Church Gyffin. And once again we will welcome the dawn in that special ‘thin place’ thisContinue…
-
Join our Volunteer Visitor Welcome Team
St. Mary’s Conwy needs you! Preparations are underway for our visitors season, which will begin during Easter Week and continue through to the end of September. Could you volunteer your time to join our brilliant Visitor Welcome team welcoming tourists and visitors to our historic church? This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone hoping toContinue…
-
New advert for Bro Celynnin’s next priest!
The advert for a new Vicar in Bro Celynnin is now live on the Diocese website and in the Church Times, supported by this wonderful video showcasing our fantastic area, churches, and way of life here in Conwy. This is such an exciting time to join us in Conwy and the Valley- with many excitingContinue…
-
Go Red for Heart Month! Coffee morning 24th Feb
Delighted to support the British Heart Foundation this month in our coffee morning at St. Mary’s Church Hall. We hope you can come along- and wear something red to support the Heart Month initiative! Tea, coffee, cake and tombola, there really is something for everyone. Around 6.7 million people in the UK are currently livingContinue…
Sharing Communion at sunrise on Easter Sunday morning in 2023 will also remain long in the memory. It is hard to capture in words the beauty and depth of experience we enjoyed, as we stood in awe, sang, prayed, jammed ourselves like sardines under the ancient boughs and gathered around the table of new life. Here are a few pictures, kindly sent in by some of those who were blessed to be there.
Credit (clockwise): Susan Blagden, Helen Tattersall, David Parry
Credit (clockwise) Tarnya Newell, Tarnya Newell, Kimberley Heginbotham
Credit (clockwise) Tarnya Newell, David Parry, David Parry
Credit: Tarnya Newell, Helen Tattersall
The ‘we’ is not a congregation, as such. Every month is an open invitation to meet with God: a shared experience in a space that belongs to everyone.
Fitting with Llangelynnin’s hilltop location and panoramic vista across the Carneddau mountains and the Conwy valley, we invite everyone here to gain the ‘higher perspective’. With music led by acoustic instruments, prayers and a reflection, there is time to contemplate.
We arrive by many paths and recognise that many will be at different stages of a journey in faith. The ‘we’ can include you, even if ‘church’ is something you would not normally do. This is a space for everyone to meet God.
You will never sit in someone else’s seat.
For that extra sense of pilgrimage, there is a monthly walk across the hills to the church. You will receive generous hospitality (of tea, homemade cake and a loo stop!) at a nearby smallholding. What’s not to love?
Outdoor Services
Following the restrictions of Covid, and the loss of being able to worship in the church building, we were able to gather for ‘Praise in the hills’ in 2021, and now August’s outdoor service has been a much anticipated annual event. Even the horses join in!
Location
- LL32 8LJ
- OS Grid Reference SH751737
Pilgrimage
Watch here Rev David Parry’s Good Friday pilgrimage of 2020, as he carried the cross alone (because of covid restrictions) up to Llangelynnin:
Prayer
For all who find God on a mountainside, as we do, be blessed by this beautiful prayer from John Fleetwood (FX Cumbria, Mountain Pilgrims), translated by our own Meira Shakespear:
A blessing for a new day
Be blessed by the songs of the birds of the air
for they have no worries.
Be blessed by the silence
for God is whispering to you.
Be blessed by the falling rain
for it is the water of life.
Be blessed by the gusting wind
for it blows where it will.
Be blessed when the way seems hard
for you have found strength
Be blessed when tears are in your eyes
for you have been touched.
Be blessed when your soul soars
for God has spoken.
Amen.
Bendith diwrnod newydd
Bendith cân yr adar arnom:
maent hwy yn ddibryder.
Bendith distawrwydd arnom:
Duw sydd yn sibrwd wrthym.
Bendith diferion y glaw arnom:
dyma ddyfroedd bywyd.
Bendith y gwynt anwadal arnom:
mae’n rhydd i chwythu fel y myn.
Bendith y llwybrau geirwon arnom:
atgyfnerthwyd ni.
Bendith dagrau’n llygaid arnom:
cyffyrddwyd ein henaid.
Bendith arnom pan gwyd ein hysbryd i’r nef:
clywsom lais Duw.
Amen.
History of the Church
St. Celynnin’s Church itself is Grade 1 listed and dates back to the 12th century. You can see St. Celynnin’s Well with its reputed healing waters. Mae Eglwys Sant Celynnin yn restredig Gardd 1 ac yn dyddio’n ôl i’r 12fed ganrif. Cewch weld Ffynnon Celynnin, a honnir bod ei dŵr yn gallu iachau pobl.
St. Celynnin’s Church Eglwys Sant Celynnin
The Church rests quietly in an isolated position, high on the hills above the Conwy valley, 900 feet above sea level on the south side of Tal-y-Fan. The nearest villages are Llangelynnin, Rowen and Henryd, and it’s one of the oldest Churches in Wales. It was dedicated to St. Celynnin, who founded the first religious settlement on the site in the 6th century. The Church has a serenity and ancient beauty that captures the pilgrim heart, and gave its name to our Bro Celynnin Ministry Area. Click here for more historical information.
Organising a pilgrimage to Llangelynnin
When the days of travelling together return, if you would like to bring a group to Llangelynnin:
- for any more details about Celtic Prayer and Praise, or to host a service: contact Rev Eryl Parry via our contact form
Previous Years
Click here for 2019
Click here for 2018
More About Llangelynnin Old Church
-
History of Llangelynnin Old Church above Henryd
History The Church of St. Celynnin dates back to the 12th century and is next to the famous Holy Well of the same name, which is in the corner of the Churchyard. The well is much older, and the water is renowned for its healing powers. Although it is very remote from where the majority ofContinue… Read more