Celtic Quiet Places
During the period from the 5th to the 8th Century AD, young British men and women travelled through the Western lands of Britain and Gaul, taking the good news of the Gospel to all who would listen. As they travelled they found quiet, 'out of the way' places to stay, where they could spend time alone with Christ. Over the years churches were built in these special places. Many are still in isolated locations: some are now in the centre of busy towns. All provide an oasis of quiet which they would like to share with you. Please visit them and find a special place for yourself.
The Cornish churches which have joined this scheme have pledged to have their doors open to visitors for several hours each day. To find these churches, their open hours, directions for finding them and all other matters of interest, visitors need to go on line to www.celticquietplaces.com , click on a Celtic cross and a mini website for that church will be displayed.
All churches offer a place of sanctuary: somewhere where people can sit in peace, away from the hustle and bustle of busy lives.
They are steeped in history and the prayers of generations of our ancestors have soaked in to the very fabric of the buildings. They are holy places and the people who care for them would love to have you visit and enjoy them.
Inside each church there are ancient carvings and inscriptions and most of them have leaflets or guide books to help you identify those of particular interest. Some of the pew ends, carved by local craftsmen, date as far back as the 16th Century. In several of the churches you will find beautiful wood carvings done by the Pinwell sisters from Plymouth during the Arts and Crafts period in the early 20th Century.
Outside in the churchyards there are benches for you to sit and enjoy the views and perhaps have a picnic quietly on your own or with your family. If the church has a toilet it will say so on the website, along with details of parking and the accessibility of wheelchair access. If you wish, you can purchase a pilgrim passport for £2, available in all participating churches, and enjoy visiting as many of our churches as you can.
All the churches have links to the Celtic saints who visited Cornwall between the 5th until the 8th Century AD. Some of them crossed and re-crossed the county many times travelling as missionaries backwards and forwards between Wales and Ireland and Brittany. Others came and settled here. Over 400 churches, towns and villages in Cornwall are named in memory of these young saints.. They kept Christianity alive in the West of Britain when the whole of Europe was in turmoil following the fall of Rome in 410AD.
We know some of their stories and each village has unique 'passed down' memories. Archaeological remains have been found and proudly displayed. Cornwall is very much a Celtic land.
We are hoping to resurrect all the old medieval Saint's Days, which will be advertised on line when the parishes are ready, so that you could include them in your holiday itineraries.
All the churches are dearly loved by those who care for them and many of them gleam with the polishing and care they receive. It is, however, fair to say that there are some that need a great deal of renovation. Your visit will give the people who try to care for those churches a great deal of encouragement to keep going. It may be that you might even be able to help in some way.
Most of all we all want you to enjoy your visit. Please sign the visitors books to let us know that you have found us!. Travel well!
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