St Wenn Church, St Wenn, Cornwall

St Wenn church, near Bodmin, central Cornwall

There are a couple of thoughts about who St Wenna was. She was certainly one of the daughters of King Brychan being born in Talgarth, Wales, where she founded her first church. She came to Cornwall along with other siblings who settled nearby; St Tudy, St Maybyn and St Nectan. It is said she was martyred back in Talgarth in about 480AD.

However, there is some confusion as the sister of St David’s mother Nonna was also called Wenna and she was the mother of St Cuby. Whether these are two different women or the same one is unclear.

As soon as we arrive at St Wenna’s church in central Cornwall, it is clear the site is an ancient ‘lan’, a circular raised enclosure indicative of an early Christian site.

The church is all set up for a wedding later in the day but it is clear there is a living faith community still worshipping here with a scripture from Ephesians hanging in the porch handwritten on slate. It is a lovely welcome.

We settle in the tiny prayer chapel off to one side and quickly become aware of a total stillness and silence in the church. No noises, no birds, no weather, no sounds, no traffic, no voices….just complete silence.

It feels like being submerged under water, yet very holy.  

I can sense angelic activity in front of me in the central aisle. It feels like golden gossamer ethereal presences radiating, peace, gentleness, joy and kindness in their movements. The angels seem to be scattering petals from a basket. There is a wedding later and I’m wondering if they are preparing the atmosphere with beauty and fragrance, the presence of God.

Now, suddenly, a beautiful blackbird is carolling outside and filling the air with music yet still the reverent hush remains.

This is a place of tranquility and refreshment.

Other birds are now joining the joyful chorus:  a song thrush with a mellifluous warble; wood pigeons cooing, wrens and robins yet the overriding peace remains and there’s not a ripple in the spiritual atmosphere. Living water is still in this place right on the surface like a pool filling the whole ‘lan’. It is hard to put into words such spiritual encounters, but I am submerged in the sense of God’s presence.

It is as though I can see my hand linked to women going all the way back to Wenna and my own ancient ancestors. We are connected by an invisible spiritual thread of blessing and faith.

I hear a gentle, female voice, most possibly one of the angels I can sense, in front of me, saying ‘child’ and taking hold of both my hands.

I am aware of the tension I am holding as if I am trespassing because of the wedding later, aware people could arrive at any moment. The voice continues, ‘Child relax and receive the impartation of peace’. I endeavour to do so, it is so tangible and weighty.

This is most definitely still a ‘thin place’; a place to return to……

A short walk away at the other end of the village is an ancient footpath leading to the remains of a well. It is still known as St Wenna’s holy well and the spring still runs bubbling clear. I spend a short time praying here too, asking God to cleanse and release anything of His Kingdom deposit remaining on this site.