The Irish missionary, St Breaca, and her companions settled on Tregonning Hill, probably at Chynoweth, near Trew, before finally establishing themselves on the site where the church now stands. They came to this already established settlement around the late 5th century. Breaca’s earliest Chapel would have been little more than a tiny oratory, housing the altar near to a Preaching Cross, where the converts would gather for worship in the open air. Her burial would have made the site more sacred for her followers, and the circular shape of the ancient churchyard can still be observed despite enlargement during the Victorian era. A Norman Church was built on the site in the early 12th century of which very little remains, because for some unknown reason, it was completely rebuilt in the mid 15th century.

The church today looks much as it did 500 years ago. This is most unusual as most old churches are added to over a considerable period.


This imposing Bell tower reaches out tall into the thunderous sky. I like the regularity that has been created here by the three round bushes and the three roof points. A grey gradient filter was used at a slight angle to darken the sky to the left.