St Erney Church and Markwell
St Erney church, Near Saltash in Cornwall
Hidden down a tiny lane, in what feels like the middle of nowhere, is St Erney Church. Stepping through the door the peace is overwhelming; the presence of God, the timelessness, the set aside nature of this place. No-one really knows how long people have worshipped here but from the raised lan, the circular enclosure, it does look like it was a Celtic Christian site. It’s possible St Erney was a son of King Brychan of South Wales but it’s not known for certain. There are many settlements in Cornwall named after the children of King Brychan. (See other entries on this site).
It is a privilege to sit in this quiet place, hidden from the modern world. It is like a cotton wool wall of protection from the noise of humankind, the busy traffic, the hum of machinery, the clamour of voices. The world is on mute.
There is no noise here, not even the sound of bird singing, just a complete hush, with every sound muffled out and a heavy weight of God's peace.
It is definitely a place to linger, to be still, to wait on God, lifting the heart, gazing upon his beauty with no agenda other than to adore Him.
For those unused to silence it might be unsettling. Suddenly you are faced with yourself and your restless soul: mind whirring, heart troubles, stresses, anxieties, to do lists shout for attention: yet all can be stilled in such a place of calm, reverence and peace.
In my mind’s eye I see a bright blue pool of gently bubbling water. One by one I drop the cares of my heart into the water: the people I love and carry, the anxieties about getting older; the pains I carry in my body; all the people I support practically and spiritually, the future decisions and vision, the spiritual load- all of it dropped one by one into the water. I endeavour to let go the cares and let Jesus carry them for me.
Rest Awhile My Soul
Rest awhile my soul
Be still
In the presence of the Almighty One
The Everlasting
The Prince of Peace
Bow before Him in silent reverence
Acknowledging His sovereignty
His Majesty
In Awe
I bow my heart
Before One who is so much greater
Humbled that He should want me
I offer all I have to give
My love
And know without a doubt
It is enough
We’ve dropped off the edge of the world into a complete haven. Peace personified.
Nearby, in days gone by was Markwell ancient holy well and chapel. It was a fording place for monks to get to St Germans across the River Tiddy.
Markwell
We drove off down another tiny lane to find Markwell. Beyond some farm building we found a holy well by the roadside. It was set back with the remains of a walled enclosure. Is it possible these are the remains of the church structure from medieval times? This was a place of pilgrimage in the past. There’s also a beautiful pool fed by the well stream on the other side of the road. It looks reminiscent of a baptistry pool. It's impossible to tell and I’m a little in edge as it is so overgrown but it is peaceful. I still linger to pray and see if God has anything to say. I'm somewhat surprised when I hear the Holy Spirit's whisper,
‘This was a place of kindness and mercy where people found love and were cherished without judgment. Many sought refuge in this place and healing from distress.’
At this point I can now 'see' a regal golden angelic presence and hear the words ‘Hope restore hope’.
Pray ‘spring up oh well’
I hear the angel's thoughts in my mind, ‘I am so glad you’ve come. I am so glad you’ve come. Thank you. Now I am released once more’.
I pray accordingly.
Chatting with my husband, who is not a prophetic seer, he told me he had actually seen a golden angel in many robes and looking regal. What he described fitted exactly the angel I too had seen.
Some say this isn't the actual holy well but that it is further down the ancient Markwell Lane towards the river, now on private land. Perhaps there is another one but certainly God had us pray and release something of His purposes at Markwell.
