St Mary
Pencader, Pembrokeshire
The present church was built in 1881 on the site of a chapel, Capel Mair, which dated from Norman times.
Its simplicity reflects the open wildness of the mountain on the slopes of which it stands. By late medieval times, the church had become a place of pilgrimage. The names of the nearby fields reflect this history as does the connection with the 6th century hermit St Silyn whose cell was also nearby at Gwernogle. The church feels blessed with this tradition and has endeavoured to live its life within this spirit, creating a deeper experience for those who come. Its life as a pilgrim space is evolving and is reflected within.
There is a warmth of welcome and a sense of profound stillness, both inside the church and within the environs. Within the church is a pebble pool, the pebbles represent prayers and are placed on the altar during services and offered to God, and written requests are always prayed for during services. There are prayer candles and a Memory Tree on which loved ones can be remembered and afterwards brought into the Pilgrim Service.
Through the graveyard can be found the labyrinth in a secluded small field, where pilgrims can rest and just be or walk reflectively within the labyrinth. The church is also a member of the Quiet Gardens Movement.