St Ceinwyn

The ancient church of St Cein Wyr (Cein the virgin, or fair) lies on a hilltop site above the Garw and Ogmore valleys at Llangeinor.

Ceinwyr’s name appears in many forms. The Latin Life of St Cain, dating from several hundred years after her death, tells us that she was a daughter of Brychan who refused to marry the many noblemen who requested her hand, and instead ‘consecrated her virginity to the Lord by a perpetual vow’. After Cain had spent many years in Cornwall, the Life tells us, St Cadog met his aunt while visiting St Michael’s Mount and wanted her to return to Wales with him. Following a warning by an angel, she did eventually return, and established herself on a hilltop where she created an oratory and a holy well.

While at Llangeinor, the time of her death was revealed in a dream, and she also saw a vision of two angels who took off her hair shirt and dressed her in a cloak woven with gold. She was prepared for death, and died on October 8, circa AD 510. St Ceinwr’s Church is considered the most likely location of the grave and holy well of the saint, due to its proximity to Cornwall and her nephew, Cadog, whose church is close by in the Vale of Glamorgan Worship has been given at the site of the church for over 1,500 years with the present church dating to the 12th century sometime around 1139.

The church, comprising nave, chancel and embattled west tower with south porch and chapel, was established 1180. The grade II* medieval church of St Ceinwyr (also known as St Cein) sits in an elevated position on the road which links the Garw and Ogmore Valleys. The site medieval in origin, although the present building is believed to have been founded in the 12th century after Norman expansion into the Vale of Glamorgan. Most surviving medieval fabric probably dates from a 15th/16th century rebuilding. A major restoration by G Halliday (Llandaff Diocesan Architect) in 1894 is responsible for much of the present appearance of the church, which was paid for by Miss Olive Talbot of Margam.