St Cwyfan's Church, Medieval church on Cribinau island in Aberffraw, Wales.
St Cwyfan's Church is a medieval stone church built on the tidal islet of Cribinau, off the coast of Anglesey in Wales. The building sits between two bays and is cut off from the mainland at high tide, making it accessible on foot only when the sea pulls back.
The church was founded in the 12th century as a place of worship on the Welsh coast. By the late 19th century, coastal erosion had worn away so much of the surrounding land that architect Harold Hughes was commissioned to build the protective sea wall that still stands today.
The church takes its name from Saint Cwyfan, a Welsh monk who is said to have lived on this coastline in the 7th century. Services are still held here occasionally, and visiting during one gives a rare sense of how small congregations once gathered in this remote spot.
The crossing to the island is only possible on foot at low tide, and the window can be short depending on the day, so checking tide times before setting out is important. Wearing waterproof footwear is a good idea since the path can be wet even when the crossing is technically passable.
The church bell dates from 1665 and is one of the oldest objects inside the building, predating most of its current furnishings. The only stained glass window was added in 1853, long after the building itself was completed, and it faces east toward the sea.
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