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
March Services at the Shrine Church of St Melangell.
During March, the Church in Wales Lent course will continue to be followed at St Melangell’s. From Pancakes to Palm Crosses features a virtual pilgrimage and reflections from the six Welsh cathedrals and dioceses, exploring faith, pilgrimage and community.
On Palm Sunday, 29th March, the course will focus on St Asaph Cathedral, featuring the William Morgan Bible – the publishing of Y Beibl Cyssegr-lan in 1588 was the first version of the whole Bible in Welsh, translated by Morgan and his team from Greek and Hebrew. Much of this was done while he was vicar of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant from 1578-1595(?), serving also at Welshpool, Denbigh, Llanarmon, Llanfyllin and Pennant Melangell. Despite hostile relationships with some of his parishioners, which resulted in appearances before the Court of the Star Chamber and the Council of the Marches, Morgan nevertheless persevered with his translation. The publication of his Bible was a turning point in Welsh history, language and culture and his team included the Dean of Westminster, Edmund Prys, Richard Parry and John Davies, with the encouragement of Archbishop Whitgift. Morgan was a Canon of St Asaph Cathedral and later became Bishop of Llandaff and of St Asaph, where some of the translation work took place. The Translators’ Tearoom there today is named in honour of Bishop Morgan and his team, with the Translators’ Memorial nearby.
All this may seem a long time ago but the legacy of those days lives on, particularly with the development of the official use of the Welsh language. Today, some churches and local communities are riven with disagreements and divisions as faith and social expectations evolve for the times in which we live and traditional practice is reinterpreted in the twenty-first century. As Lent continues, Morgan’s example and those of his parishioners may remind us that challenging and sometimes hostile relationships need not prevent learning or better things happening in due course with the development of greater understanding and positive change which may also result – if there is the will for it.
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Guardian.
The following services will be held during March, followed by a shared lunch on Thursdays and tea with cake on Sundays. Please note that each Sunday’s service will be held here but will focus on a different cathedral each week.
Second Sunday of Lent, Dewi Sant, 1st March, 3pm: From Pancakes to Palm Crosses – St David’s Cathedral: Persistence.
Thursday 5th March, Non, noon: Holy Eucharist and healing service.
Third Sunday of Lent, 8th March, 3pm: Brecon Cathedral, Penitence.
Thursday 12th, noon: Holy Eucharist.
Fourth Sunday of Lent, 15th, 3pm: Mothering Sunday – Llandaff Cathedral: Praise.
Thursday 19th, noon: Holy Eucharist and healing service.
Passion Sunday, 22nd, 3pm: Newport Cathedral – Passion.
Thursday 26th, noon: Service of the Word, due to the Chrism Eucharist in St Asaph.
Palm Sunday, 29th, 3pm: St Asaph Cathedral – Bishop Morgan and Y Beibl Cyssegr-lan.
For further details, please contact admin@stmelangell.org or ring 01691 860408. The Lent course ‘From Pancakes to Palm Crosses’ is available from churchinwales.org.uk in the News section.
If you need any help or support you can contact us here.