Other books of interest published by Y Lolfa
A Church Near You in Wales
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE OF WELSH CHURCHES CELEBRATED IN NEW BOOK
A Church Near You in Wales. Written and illustrated by Denis Dunstone, it includes a guide to the regional differences of building styles within Wales, information about historical and geographical context and watercolour illustrations of the exterior of the churches.
The volume includes a foreword by Bishop Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury and Archbishop of Wales), who describes A Church Near You in Wales as a “treasury of both image and information about the oldest Welsh Churches” and a “lucid guide to the regional varieties of building styles within Wales and how they developed across the centuries”.
The earliest evidence of Christian practice in Wales is in the fifth century. Usually, these early churches were in more remote areas, such as in the hills or on a cliff top. This was partly as it was safer and partly for privacy – in modern times they are still often spots which invite contemplation.
Denis Dunstone said: “Smaller Welsh churches were normally dedicated to a local saintly person. These small churches are often secluded and have become part of the countryside. They have a special atmosphere. More than in England, in Wales the location is part of the church.”
Denis Dunstone’s project of illustrating medieval churches started in 2020, during the Covid pandemic. This led to the publication of a booklet of 50 churches local to him, which grew into A Church Near You, focusing on churches in England. Inspired, he then set about illustrating medieval churches in Wales.
There are just under one thousand churches in Wales judged to be of medieval origin.
“The Friends of Friendless Churches and the National Churches Trust have been a godsend. Both of these organisations work tirelessly to keep churches and their history alive,” said Denis Dunstone.
A Church Near You in Wales by Denis Dunstone (£19.99, Y Lolfa) is available now.
ISNB: 978-1-80099-598-7
SITES INCLUDED
Church of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beaumaris
St Tysilio’s Church, Menai Bridge
The churchyard cross, Tremeirchion
Holy Cross Church, Woodchurch
The Gladstone Library, Hawarden
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Bala
Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre, Llanycil
Capel Celyn Memorial Chapel
St Tudclud’s Church, Penmachno
St Gwyddelan’s Church, Dolwyddelan
St David’s Church, Blaenau Ffestiniog
St Cian’s Church, Llangian
St Mary’s Abbey, Bardsey
Sarn Helen
The Pilgrim Cross at Bwlch y Groes, Gwynedd
St Tydecho’s Church, Llanymawddwy
Jerusalem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Refail
Shrine of St Winefride, Shrewsbury Abbey
The Pales Meeting House, Llandegley
St Padarn’s Church, Llanbadarn Fawr, Powys
St David’s Church, Dylife
Ffald y Brenin, Pontfaen, Fishguard
St Samson of Dol and Caldey Island
The Hospital, Llawhaden
Roman Amphitheatre, Heol y Prior, Carmarthen
The Llandeilo Gospels Exhibition, Llandeilo
Castle Car Park, Llandovery
St Cadmarch’s Church, Llangammarch Wells
St Matthew’s Church, Llandefalle
The Vaughan Walk, Talybont-on-Usk
St Tydfil’s Old Parish Church, Merthyr Tydfil
Hanover Chapel, Llanover
Chepstow, Tintern and Lancaut
Tabernacle United Reformed Church, Llanfaches
Afon Col-huw, Llantwit Major
Ewenny Priory Church
St Cynwyd’s Church, Llangynwyd
The Saints’ Way, Fowey, Cornwall
Church of St Pompée, Langoat, France
Kirk Maughold, Isle of Man
St Mary’s Church, Putney, London
St Mungo on High Street, Glasgow
A CELEBRATION OF THE WELSH CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE: NEW BOOK EXPLORES PILGRIM SITES ACROSS WALES AND BEYOND
This week sees the publication of Where the Saints Came From: On Pilgrimage in Wales and Beyond by Anne Hayward (Y Lolfa - ISBN - 9781800994867). The book tells the story of the Christian faith in Wales from late-Roman times to the present day and includes discussion of over forty off-the-beaten-track religious sites and artefacts.
Where the Saints Came From by Anne Hayward combines extensive research on the sites and history with thousands of miles of walking on pilgrimage in Wales and further afield. The result is a celebration of the Welsh Christian experience.
Author Anne Hayward says: “Where the Saints Came From is different from my other books in that it is a compilation of over 40 suggested places to visit, all of which I have come across while walking on pilgrimage in Wales and beyond. All the material is new and is based on my experiences as a long-distance walker and contemporary pilgrim.
“I always have a great time whether I’m in places of wild beauty or more urban areas, near the coast or inland. Above all, what I have learnt is the joy of slow travel and how there can be places of interest and significance wherever you go.”
This wide-ranging book covers topics as diverse as early medieval ecclesiastical bells, the impact of faith and belief in the Civil War of the seventeenth century, and the portrayal of Celtic saints in modern literature and art.
“I don’t have a favourite site as such but gems that stand out in my memory include the very poignant memorial to Blessed William Davies at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Beaumaris and the excellent Margam Stones Museum near Port Talbot. Also, some very tucked away places such as the old ‘Friends’ graveyard at Quakers Yard near Merthyr Tydfil and the landscape features associated with St Tydecho near Llanymawddwy in the south of Eryri,” says Anne Hayward.
On the practicalities of walking on pilgrimage, Anne says:
“I would have to say that I don’t generally follow ‘official’ pilgrimage routes but make up routes of my own, devising from existing footpaths and public rites of way. This has led to some glorious walking. I also get to stay (I’m a lightweight camper) in some very special places too!
“This year I will be undertaking my tenth annual pilgrimage, setting out after Easter for St Malo and Dol-de-Bretagne in northern France. I’m also planning another trip in the north of England in the summer and beginning to think about 2025, when I hope to walk across Wales again and make my way to Armagh, the ancient religious centre in Northern Ireland.”
Where the Saints Came From will appeal to anyone who is interested in history – especially Church history, and associated spirituality, in Wales and the wider British Isles – and to those who enjoy walking and the outdoors.
Where the Saints Came From will be launched at 7pm on Monday 10 April at Book-ish in Crickhowell.
Where the Saints Came From by Anne Hayward (£9.99, Y Lolfa - ISBN 9781800994867 ) is available now.
Welsh Saints from Welsh Churches
New book reveals treasury of images of nation’s saints in churches
A new book published on St David’s Day 2023, presents a stunning array of images of saints from churches across Wales.
The early saints of Wales have become an integral part of the story of the nation. The patron saint, David, or Dewi Sant, remains bound up with modern Welsh identity, and others such as Teilo, Illtud, Cadfan, Melangell, Beuno and Winefride or Gwenfrewy hold a special place in the traditions of different regions across Wales.
This is the first study of the portrayal of the nation’s saints and reveals a glowing treasury of images in stained glass, sculpture and other media, hardly any of which has been seen in print before. Over 500 beautiful photographs from around 250 churches across Wales tell a story of the place of the saints in Welsh religious culture and as national figures.
Author: Martin Crampin - Price £35 - ISBN 9781800992153
RENOWNED PSYCHIATRIST DAVID ENOCH PUBLISHES COMPELLING MEMOIR IN A LIFE BRIDGING FAITH AND MEDICINE
At the age of 95, world renowned psychiatrist Dr David Enoch, who is affectionately known as ‘Enoch the Uncommon’ is publishing his autobiography. Enoch’s Walk - 95 Not Out: Journey of a Psychiatrist is the fascinating life story of the Christian psychiatrist, detailing five major elements of his life, that of being a doctor, psychiatrist, preacher, broadcaster and author - and starting with his humble beginnings in south Wales. Dr David Enoch has been at the forefront of societal, religious and medical changes, making this account a valuable first-hand account of twentieth-century history as well as a candid story of one man’s journey through life. He describes his life as one that was “determined to bridge the gap between faith and medicine.”
Wales’ Unknown Hero: Soldier, Spy, Monk
The Life of Henry Coombe-Tennant, MC, of Neath,
Henry earned a double-first from Cambridge, taught himself Mandarin before travelling to China, served in World War II and escaped from a POW camp and made it back across occupied Europe to Britain, which earned him the Military Cross. He joined the Special Operations Executive – and worked with the Resistance against the Nazis, for which the French awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Palm. Post-war, he served in Palestine and with NATO and then joined the British Secret Service. Embracing religion after his traumatic experiences in Iraq after the bloody revolution there, he ended his days as a Benedictine monk.
www.ylolfa.com/products/9781912631339/wales-unknown-hero-soldier-spy-monk
A Nation of Singing Birds:
Sermon and Song in Wales and Among the Welsh in America
by Ronald Rees (Y Lolfa).
Wales is known as ‘the land of song’ and the Welsh are renowned for their love of hymns – perhaps no other nation has sung them with such fervour. This passion is celebrated in a new comprehensive history of hymn writing and singing in Wales and amongst the Welsh diaspora in North America. A Nation of Singing Birds: Sermon and Song in Wales and Among the Welsh in America by Ronald Rees (Y Lolfa) looks at the time between the Protestant Revivals in the late 18th century until the present day.
Described as “Lively, entertaining, and valuable – a real gem” by the journalist, presenter and newsreader Huw Edwards, the book considers the influences of key figures such as William Williams Pantycelyn and Ira Sankey also examines rhythmic elements in Welsh preaching.
https://www.ylolfa.com/products/9781912631292/a-nation-of-singing-birds
Llanilltud – The Story of a Celtic Christian Community by Philip Morris
Where was Britain’s first centre of learning founded? Oxford? Cambridge? St Andrews? Think again: it was in Llantwit Major in south Wales – known as Llanilltud Fawr in Welsh. St Illtud’s monastery and training school was founded in c.500 A.D., making it in all probability the oldest centre of learning in Britain. Scholars of church history have emphasised its importance by calling it ‘the Christian axis of the Celtic-speaking peoples’ and ‘the University of the Atlantic of the Celtic period’.
Brought up in Cardiff, Philip Morris has had a long career in the Church in Wales and recently retired as the Archdeacon of Margam. He has lived in Llantwit Major for many years, and his interest in this topic goes back to his MPhil in early medieval spirituality.
A Celtic Pilgrimage by Anne Hayward
This book is based on a pilgrimage Anne Hayward made on foot from Wales to Brittany in 2016. As with her previous book, A Pilgrimage Around Wales, her writing is aimed at people interested in Christian spirituality and pilgrimage, but also focuses on the church history (in the broadest sense) she discovered and reflected on as she walked.
https://www.ylolfa.com/products/9781784618322/a-celtic-pilgrimage