The fairground rides and candy floss remain but Barry Island’ Butlins Holiday Camp has long left the scene. Years before it had taken shape to pull in holidaymakers, the remains of the eighth century Chapel of St Barruc’s were discovered. For this was his Llan, when it was an isolated island cut off from the mainland, and it’s the place he was buried.
Here, in the sixth century, Baruc’s body was washed up on the shore after a fatal coracle crossing back from Ynys Echni, the island of Flat Holm. He, along with Gwalches, had been sent back by Cadoc to retrieve a prayer book which had been left there. They both succumbed to the waves. Gwalches was washed up and buried on Flat Holm itself.
The remains of the chapel, discovered here in the 1800s, appear to come from the eighth century. They had been buried by sand for centuries. An extensive graveyard was also discovered, containing thousands of bodies, which indicated this may indeed have had a reputation as a holy island, a place for the dead to be buried. (Feast Day: 27 September)
Hwyl
Here,
the sandy, pebbled,
peopled shore
of this Island
has seen many come and go.
The cove calls to them,
embraces the sea dippers
and day trippers,
the sun seekers
who look to the grey skies
hoping for more.
Here,
the body of Baruc,
cast from his coracle
as he parted ways with Gwalches,
is gently washed ashore.
Here,
he is laid to rest in the sand,
buried like his sometime church
waiting to see the light of day
in days to come,
here,
in our day
as we look to the grey skies
hoping for more.
Bible Reading
From Genesis 22:15-18
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, ‘By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.’
Prayer
Lord God,
along this shoreline
I look upwards and outwards,
away from the land,
beyond the sea.
As the saints of our land
pushed out from the shore
so may we push out in trust,
move on with faith,
alive with the Spirit
which drives us forward.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Stay Awhile
Stay awhile, be still, and be at peace,
here in this place
where the heritage of St Baruc
is not set in stone,
but alive in the hearts
of those who serve God.
Listen to the sounds of the sea,
the breath of the wind,
the call of the gulls
who flock here.
Appreciate the beauty
of God’s creation.
Stay awhile,
be still, and be at peace.
Pray for
Pray for the people who live here,
all who visit for leisure and fun,
for all who make their living in this place.
Pray for the churches of Barry,
and for their clergy.
Pray for those who work upon the seas,
for lifeguards,
and all who come to the aid
of those in trouble or need.
Hwyl Fawr
May the breath of God's Spirit
fill our hearts with love.
May his light shine upon us
and brighten the path before us.
And may we walk with gentleness upon his earth. Amen.
St Baruc, pray for us.
St Cadoc, pray for us.
St Gwalches, pray for us.
All the Saints of God, pray for us.
LINKS & INFO
Website: Barry Ministry Area which each year on September 27th organises a service at the chapel ruins
Where next?
Plan your journey to the next part of the Llanscape of Wales using our Google Maps Trail:
South Cardiff Ministry Area 