St Beuno Church, Pistyll Wales

St Beuno’s church Pistyll Llyn

We stumbled across this church as we drove by and saw the sign. Turning round we arrived down a lane at this tiny church. Amazingly it was founded by Beuno himself and he retreated here to pray when the monastery college at Clynnog Fawr was too busy.

The church is set within a llan by a stream. There is a pool adjacent which looks like a baptistry and similar to ones I’ve seen in Cornwall. The stream flows from the pond, now managed by a sluice and it suddenly forms a deep gorge on one side of the churchyard, similar to St Beuno’s church at Culbone on Exmoor.

The location looks right out to sea, across to Anglesey and over surrounding mountains. It is a classic ‘edge of the world’ location favoured by the Celtic Christians.

Inside the church it feels ancient, homely and welcoming. There is straw on the floor and lots of candles and greenery. Together it creates a really pretty and welcoming atmosphere. I found it easy to worship and so peaceful.

In this holy place

Lay your burdens down

Look to the cross of Jesus

And see his shining love

Look to the cross and beyond

Look to the resurrection

Look to the power of pentecost and live in it

Don’t linger too long at the cross

Allow redemption to do its work

Then move on into his abiding power and grace

To go forth and tell

Sing and dance and create with joy

Lift up your voice and sing

Declare the goodness of God’s rescuing love

Go with the flow of God’s Spirit’s breath

Prostrate at altar

In a vision I see the head of an incredibly beautiful horse elaborately decorated. Its mane is plaited and shining. A man in full plated armour is on him, holding high a red and white pennant.

He rides off a short way, stops, turns and says, ‘All who are for the King of Kings fall in’.

I watch ad a fairly small gathering of people come forward. They are ragged, weary bowed down, a rag tag bunch. I am confused. They certainly don’t look like an army!

He leads them down to a river ford on the mountainside. They wash in fresh mountain water and emerge refreshed and ready.

Now he leads them on a  path uphill to a barn-like building.inside they will all receive new kit. I hear him saying,

‘Equipping for the new season’

Everyone appears dressed and equipped but each person has their own unique clothes, armour, weapons, and mantles. No two outfits are the same. They fall in and I sense are prepared and ready. I know they are the ones who have been faithful during the last season of tearing, wilderness and warfare.