Welcome to the website of the Shrine Church of Saint Melangell. Here you will find information about our services, events and facilities. Please use the menus at the top and bottom of the page to navigate to the page you need, or click the news links for up to date information.
Mae ein gwefan Gymraeg i’w gweld yma .
May services at the Shrine Church of St Melangell.
May 8th marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, when hostilities of the Second World War ceased in Europe although not elsewhere. As he addressed the large crowds at the time, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, said, “God bless you all. This is your victory. In our long history, we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best.”
On VE Day itself, church bells were rung to mark the end of the war and, at 6.30 pm on May 8th, they will ring again across the UK in remembrance of the sacrifice made by so many and thanksgiving for the freedom won at such cost. Throughout Europe, it’s estimated that 175,000 bells were seized during the war itself for their valuable metal to be converted into weaponry and machinery. When it was realised what might happen to them, many bells were buried by local people to try to prevent this happening and some are still occasionally found today.
That’s reminiscent of an earlier age when, during the Reformation, the Shrine here was dismantled and parts were hidden or buried to prevent its possible desecration. In its restoration, the original elements and the replacements of the missing parts have been blended to recreate it. It still contains much of the oldest Romanesque Shrine in Northern Europe and is held together with twentieth century materials and mortar in its rebuilding. Old and new in harmony and support, a silent testimony of hope.
There is just one bell at St Melangell’s, and it can only chime, but on 8th May, at 6.30pm, its call will also be heard on the 80th anniversary – if you’d like to ring it too, please come! Churchill suggested that every man and woman had done their best and, in view of the huge challenges currently being faced nationally and worldwide, we also need to do our bit, great and small, to rebuild and recreate in our generation. How can the good news ring out?!
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian
The following services will be held, followed by a shared lunch on Thursdays and tea with cake on Sundays:
Thursday 1st May, noon: Holy Eucharist
Third Sunday of Easter, 4th May, 3pm: Service of reflection
Thursday 8th May, noon: Act of Commemoration for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day
6.30 pm: Ringing of the Church bell as part of the national bell ringing celebration, with a short act of thanksgiving.
Fourth Sunday of Easter, 11th May, 3pm: Service of reflection for Christian Aid Week
Thursday 15th May, noon: Holy Eucharist
Fifth Sunday of Easter, 18th May, 3pm: Service of reflection
Monday 19th May, 10.30 am at the Centre: Julian Group
Thursday 22nd May, noon: Holy Eucharist
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Rogation Sunday, 25th May, 3pm: Service of thanksgiving for St Melangell.
Ascension Day, Thursday 29th May, noon: Holy Eucharist.
For further details or to book the Shepherd’s Hut and Centre, please ring 01691 860408 or contact admin@stmelangell.org – diolch!
If you need any help or support you can contact us here.