Hywyn Church

Hywyn Church Aberdaron

The church is situated right next to the sea and was a staging post for pilgrims heading to Bardsey Island. An early Celtic Christian site it apparently succeeded one just west along the coast at Analog, where the pilgrims originally boarded boats for Bardsey from Porth Meudwy (meaning hermit's cove). I've written about the Pilgrim Steps in my Bardsey Island entry. 

The poet R S Thomas was vicar here for many years drawing on both his faith and the natural surroundings to inspire his poetry. He is one of my favourite poets, so it was a delight to find this connection. I love this poem by him, 'Alive' as it resonates so much with me. 

The church is very welcoming and open with a lovely presence of God. There is much evidence of honouring its past and heritage, as well as encouraging modern pilgrims.

There's a coracle in the church,  the type of small boat monks travelled in from Ireland to Wales. 

I found a painting of Jesus with arms outstretched over Bardsey particularly moving and again found tears rising. My heart opened with a flood of poem prayers.

Kneeling waiting

not knowing why

tears rise

yet knowing deeply

I need them.

Longings buried

learning to rise

on the rivulet of my tears

fall

here at your feet

I wait for you

arms outstretched

over a dying world

your heart

ripped apart by love.

Here I find you

in the depth of my 

heart yearning

Oddly I found it easier to engage with God here than on Bardsey itself. Perhaps this is because there has been continual worship here whereas on the island, nature rather than faith, seems to be the major focus nowadays.

I loved this place and visited several times. It is both a ‘thin place’ and a deep place situated right on the edge of the world.