Discover the legacy of Beuno and Winefride in Holywell.
The legendary St Beuno is thought to have founded a church on this site in the 7th century and dedicated it to his niece St Winefride. The first record of the ‘Churche of Haliwell' occurred in 1093, when the wife of Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, granted the church to the monks of St Werburgh's at Chester.
The church that stands here today is largely an 18th century structure but its tower (with perpendicular windows) and part of the nave dates to the 14th or 15th century. In 1769 the church was dedicated to St James the Apostle after a rebuilding programme. This included new north and south aisles, galleries and roof timbers. Later building work saw an apse added in 1884 and the north vestry in 1905.
In the churchyard, the connection to St Winefride is apparent because it is shared with the chapel bearing her name. A place of pilgrimage for centuries, the chapel was built to serve travellers who had arrived to take the waters at St Winefride’s holy well. Winefride was said to have been beheaded on this spot by Caradog, a suitor she rejected. A spring of water appeared on the spot where her head fell, before Beuno restored his niece to life. Winefride became a nun and devoted her life to Christianity. The beautiful church, holy well and chapel, are all well worth a visit to this special area of Flintshire.
Flint - 4 miles
Regular bus service
On road cycling
Full Grid Reference: SJ1853376276