St Arfan’s church

St Arfan was a Celtic Christian somewhere between the 6-9th centuries AD. He founded this church at St Arvan near Chepstow. The churchyard still shows evidence of the orginal circular ‘Llan’. It would have been a prayer and monastic site. He was a hermit who supported himself by fishing salmon in the River Wye where sadly he drowned.

The church is mentioned in the Llandaff charters of 954AD.

There are the remains of a 10th century Celtic cross inside the church.

Our visit was gentle and lovely. There is a real reverence and holiness in the church and it’s clear there’s a living, caring community. It is a place to linger, rest and pray, stepping aside from the hustle of modern life. One interesting artefact is the replica Wye coracle on exhibit. This tiny boat is similar to those used by the early saints.

Access: OS map ST517965