St Tysilio

It is situated on the Herefordshire trail where in times gone by the river was crossed by ferry to the hamlet of Sellack Boat. The church has become a popular image for local artists and a highlight for passing walkers. A peaceful place to pause in a busy world for quiet contemplation.

St Tysilio's is the only church in England named after this 7th century Celtic saint. Born to the king of Powys and intended for a military career he opted to become a monk instead and after many trials and tribulations (its a long story!) fled to Brittany.

The church is grade I listed and has traces of its Romanesque origins. The present building is some 800 years old and almost certainly replaced an earlier wooden building. The first recorded priest is John le Henle in 1291 but the church had certainly been in existence long before this.

Of particular note is the east window, previously featured in 'Country Life' and installed in 1630. The story goes that Cromwell's men were sent to destroy it as part of their bid to eradicate idolatry but were wined and dined at the local manor house and rather lost sight of their mission, simply firing a token shot through the window before leaving!

A rare ceremony dating from the 15th century is performed at Sellack and two neighbouring churches of distributing 'pax cakes' after the Palm Sunday service each year. Originally ale was also included and today the cakes have in fact become biscuits. The origins of the custom are shrouded in mystery and may have simply been to encourage good neighbourliness, but it has been suggested that it may have come about to counter local animosity between the village communities.

Today we are left with a quiet secluded church at the end of a lane close to the River Wye. Whilst the church community is very active the building itself is a place of quiet contemplation.