Chapel of St Non facts for kids
The Chapel of St Non is a special place on the coast near St David's in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. People believe it's the birthplace of St David, who is the patron saint of Wales. The chapel is now a ruin, but it's very old. It's unusual because it faces north-south, not east-west like most old churches. Close by, you can find a modern chapel, a quiet retreat, and a holy well. The Welsh heritage group Cadw now looks after this important site.
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The Chapel's Story
The ruined Chapel of St Non is right by the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. It's only a few miles from the city of St David's. According to Christian stories, Saint Non was born around the year 475. She was a nun who lived near Whitesands Bay. She gave birth to a son at Caerfai. This son grew up to become St David, the patron saint of Wales.
People think the ruined chapel stands where St Non's house once was. It might be one of the oldest Christian buildings in Wales. In the Middle Ages, many pilgrims (people who travel for religious reasons) came to visit this chapel. After the Protestant Reformation, these visits stopped. The chapel was then used as a house and later as a garden. In the 1950s, Cadw took over the site to protect it. It is now a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical place.
St Non's Cross: An Ancient Stone
Inside the ruined chapel, there's a large stone called St Non's Cross. It has a cross carved inside a circle. This stone was found in the same field as the chapel. It might have been a grave marker or an altar stone. Experts believe the stone was made between the 7th and 9th centuries. However, we don't know for sure if it was originally from this exact spot.
Standing Stones: A Glimpse into the Past
In the field around the chapel, you can see several standing stones. These stones might show that people lived here during the Iron Age. It's possible that the chapel was built inside an old circle of these stones. This circle might have been used for pagan (non-Christian) ceremonies long ago.
The Holy Well: Healing Waters
A holy well is very close to the chapel. People used to believe its water had special healing powers. Even today, visitors often throw coins into the well for good luck. Old records from 1717 mention this well. They say it had a stone roof and benches around it. Some people still visited the well on St Non's Day (March 2nd). They would leave small gifts like pins and pebbles.
Reports from 1811 said the well was incredibly famous. Many people still came to it for different health problems. It was thought to be especially good for eye issues. The Catholic Church restored the well in 1951. They also built a small shrine using stones from nearby ruins. Water from this well was even used by Pope Benedict during his visit to Britain.
The Modern Chapel: A Place for Prayer
A newer chapel was built near the ruin in 1934. A solicitor (a type of lawyer) named Cecil Morgan-Griffiths built it. He used stones from other ruined chapels nearby. He had built a house overlooking the sea, which is now a retreat. The nearest Catholic church was far away, so he decided to build a new chapel on this historic site.
This new chapel is the most westerly church in Wales. It's also one of the smallest, only about 25 feet long and 12 feet wide. It has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows show St Non, St David, St Bride, St Brynach, and St Winifred. The holy water basin at the door is from another old chapel. The altar uses a white stone from St Patrick's Chapel. The window above the altar was made in the style of William Morris. Cecil Morgan-Griffiths died the year after the new chapel was finished.
St Non's Retreat: A Peaceful Getaway
Behind the modern chapel is St Non's Retreat. This is a quiet place for people to relax and think. It used to be run by the Sisters of Mercy, a religious institute. They offered a peaceful place for people to stay. They also held workshops, from yoga classes to support groups for parents who had lost a child.
Today, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff owns the retreat. It still offers a place for reflection. In early 2024, the retreat was updated and reopened in April 2024.
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