"Its an interesting church, you should have a look". So after wandering along the lonely beach stopping to take some photos and doing a little sketching I meandered into the small well kept churchyard that overlooked the beach and the turning tide. The clear blue September sky, untroubled by any errant cloud, reflected on the sea. The odd tern rasped a message to his friend as they scudded past on some business errand. The door handle on the Church door had a little arrow pointing up to help you enter. Gently turning the handle as indicated I stepped inside.
Nothing previously had prepared me for the breathtaking experience of entering St. Hywyn's Church Aberdaron.
Totally unaware of the Church's history the first impression was of "Presence" . Similar to entering the wardrobe in C.S. Lewis's book I seemed to have slipped between worlds. Stillness , Presence, Welcoming .Having had my senses stunned I found a seat . This place was , what Van Morrison sang about on his 1980 recording, a "Haunt of Ancient Peace".
After sitting still for some time I slowly became aware of the fabric of the place. The white paint on the walls was peeling away in places ,sunlight from the windows illuminated the ancient minimal feel yet gave the sense of being "home", spacious , silent. On the low table in front of me was a small bowl with a rose, a vase of fresh flowers , a votive candle and a small iconic cross. In an alcove a simple driftwood cross. Flowers. Most of the pews had been removed , which gave a lovely open feel , and as I wandered around the building I discovered an expression of faith that resonated deeply in my soul. Two simple altars surrounded by flowers, the wonderful Cairn of beach pebbles with prayers and messages. Banners and kneelers handmade reflecting the wonders of nature, the universe and the Mystery. Did I mention flowers? A bunch of grapes on the main altar was a masterstroke. Simplicity, beauty ,reverence,pilgrimage and a feeling of belonging in the universe , playful yet holy . A "thin place " where heaven and earth collide and ,if you happen to be in the right place at the right time, you find one foot in each place and its hard to leave. Everything is here , all the elements that speak of
creation , the wonder , the mystery and the beauty of eternity.
Only later did I realise that the poet and minister R.S. Thomas lived here and that Aberdaron has been a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years ! By accident ,here in the almost forgotton West, I found one of the Gates of Heaven.
I purchased a copy of Thomas's poems , sat in the churchyard in the sun, the Altantic ocean ebbing and flowing before me, and turned the page.....
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