On Songs of Praise this week Claire McCollum heads to to Cornwall’s coast, where she explores the rich history of ‘the church of storms’, an intriguing place of worship nestled in the sand dunes, just steps away from the crashing waves. This sanctuary, officially known as St Winwaloe Church in Gunwalloe, has been a site of Christian devotion for over a millennium.
McCollum is joined by local expert Priscilla Oates, who specialises in Celtic history. Together, they venture to the cliffs just off the beach, believed to be the site of St Winwaloe’s first hermitage. The Reverend Pat Robson also shares insights with McCollum about the Celtic Quiet Places project, which keeps churches open as peaceful havens for visitors.
The episode also features a creative twist as McCollum joins a sketching group, led by local Christian artist Melanie Chadwick. The group challenges themselves to capture their subject in just a quarter of an hour. During this artistic endeavour, McCollum learns about a challenging period in Chadwick’s life and how it inspired her to embrace her creative calling and share it with others.
Songs of Praise: Christianity in Cornwall airs on BBC One on Sunday, 22 September 2024, at 1:15 pm.
