St Digain’s Church, Llangernyw

Link to French translation

This church is dedicated to the fifth-century saint Digain, son of St Cystennin Gorneu. "Gorneu" is a variant of "Cernyw", meaning Cornwall, and the village’s name denotes an enclosed area (“llan”) dedicated to Cernyw. The photo of the church c.1875 is by John Thomas and shown here courtesy of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – the National Library of Wales.

Photo of Llangernyw church c.1875St Digain is said to have founded a church in the area, but the oldest part of the existing church – the nave – is thought to be late medieval or Tudor. Rebuilding in later centuries, especially the 19th, eradicated much of the earlier fabric, including the windows. The layout of the church, in the form of a cross, is unusual for this region, and probably follows the shape of the medieval building.

South of the church is a pair of standing stones, one of which has an incised cross, probably made in the 7th to 9th century. Another stone has a cross which is thought to date from the 9th to 11th century.

Also in the churchyard is a tomb flanked by boulders. Some believe the boulders are remnants of pre-Christian ritual use of the site. The ancient yew tree, about 4,000 years old, in the churchyard could have been a focus of those rituals.

Butchers may have sharpened their knives on the Tudor font in the church when a market was held in the churchyard. Vicar John Kenrick regarded the market as “so contrary to canon and common decency” that in 1749 he nailed up the churchyard gate on market day and stationed “the clerk and other stout fellows” at the other entrances. They stood firm despite “bitter and sharp reproaches” from people who argued that markets were held in many other churchyards. The market was soon relocated.

Poet Margaret Sandbach, of Hafodunos, is commemorated by a window in the church. See the Footnotes for one of her poems.

Postcode: LL22 8PQ    View Location Map

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Footnotes: On the death of a Roman Countess, by Margaret Sandbach

Margaret Sandbach wrote this poem in 1840. It’s thought to allude to a funeral she witnessed taking place at St Digain’s. As it’s a poem, it fuses together many elements such as a visit to Rome and also Margaret's involvement with the church in Llangernyw. 

On the death of a Roman Countess
Enter the church—a solemn sight is there!
Soft be thy footstep—holy is the air!
Mark on yon bier the lovely form that lies
Serene in death, calm as the cloudless skies!

A faded flower, ere yet it fully bloomed,
A blighted spirit, in its morning doomed
To cold despair and death, whose sudden dart
Pierced with unerring aim that broken heart.

And wouldst thou know the sad and touching tale,
The fate of her whom many hearts bewail?
Wouldst thou inquire by whom the blow was given,
That sent the angel spirit home to heaven?

With thanks to Mark Baker of the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust