The Teifi Faith Trail

Tourists and pilgrims alike can enjoy a new opportunity to explore one of our most beautiful valleys

The Teifi Faith Trail is a website initiative of mission, soon to be launched by Lampeter LMA. With twenty-two fine, historic churches, stretching the along the upper reaches of the River Teifi, the LMA is keen to support them and safeguard their future. But how can these churches prosper, or even survive, in an age of decline in the relevance of Christian worship in Britain?

Researching the story of some of these churches and seeing their predicament, historian and LMA Chair Dr John Hammond thought of harnessing heritage and internet resources to advertise the churches and their Christian message. The history of the churches, their architecture, artistic interiors and beautiful, bucolic settings could attract a substantial audience which otherwise would be unaware of their existence or their purpose. In turn, this could help revitalise the churches and generate much-needed extra income.

John turned to expert Dr Martin Crampin who has not only designed and built the website, but supplied the superlative photography and contributed to the information on the churches. Supported by Archdeacon Eileen Davies and with the financial backing of the diocese, the initiative is nearing completion, as the site is translated into Welsh.

Each church has its own dedicated website page, woven together with several themes to explore, such as old yew trees, medieval fonts and stained glass. Martin and John were eager to feature the art and architecture found at the churches, to make the site as attractive as possible. Startling images of sculpture, include an impressive collection of carved stone fonts, such as those found at Llanwenog, Maestir and Pencarreg, and wonderful stained glass to be seen at Betws Bledrws and Lampeter.

The website also features stories about notable historical characters memorialised within the churches, like Daniel Rowlands at Llangeitho, Admiral John Thomas, a swashbuckling American War of Independence frigate captain, at Llanllwni, and Joseph Rubens, a Belgian First World War artist refugee at Llanwenog.

Unsurprisingly, Welsh saints are associated with many of the churches, not least St David, whose connection with Llanddewi Brefi, is older than his association with St Davids itself. A stone built into the wall of the church alludes to the importance of the saint there in the early ninth century.

A visitor centre is planned for one of the centrally located churches and the LMA looks forward to welcoming tourists, encouraging them to discover some of the area’s wonderful places of worship and to become familiar with the Christian heritage of the Teifi Valley.

https://teififaithtrail.wales