St James Church Lancaut

St James Church, Lancaut is the remains of a ruined church on the banks of the River Wye. It is built on the site of the earliest Celtic Christian monastery on the Wye, going back to Cewydd a 5th century Christian. It was originally called Llan Cewydd. It is mentioned in the Book of Llandaff in 625AD.

Walking in is not for the faint hearted. Situated on the river bank it is accessed through a nature reserve following a steeply inclined path. The site itself was strategically chosen, sitting on a meander of the river, on a level parcel of land but high above the river and risk of flooding but with easy access for travel. The situation speaks of a ‘Llan’ from the shape of the enclosure, the isolation on an ‘edge of the world‘ site and remote.

Often ruined churches can feel unsettling but there was only peace on this site. We sat in the sunshine praying for ages. It was so easy. Peace saturated the place and a deep sense of it being a sanctuary. I had a fleeting vision of a man in a monk’s robe defending another man by placing him behind him and preventing someone harming him. 
 

All around us birds were singing continuously and two robins carolled us throughout our visit. The situation is unique. The river, murky brown but smooth and polished as glass moved lazily. Wooded steep cliffs on the opposite bank reach up to sheer limestone escarpment cliffs, looming and unfriendly. It is a scenery of both wonder and beauty, yet not totally safe. Yet sitting against the ruins there is nothing but peace. More than just the natural peace but that deep peace when the presence of God is evident.

So in this sanctuary God reassured us of His love, His care and His presence. A beautiful sense of holiness.

Then…..the climb back up. That was hard!

Access:ST 541965 accessed on foot from the Lancaut nature reserve parking. Wear sturdy walking shoes