Songs of Praise

Cornwall's Church of Storms (2024x37)

Air date: Sep 22, 2024

Claire McCollum visits the Cornish coast to explore the remarkable history of ‘the church of storms’ - a place of prayer occupying a curious and beautiful position in the sand dunes, just a few steps from the roaring waves of the sea. Officially St Winwaloe Church in Gunwalloe, it is a sanctuary where Christians have worshipped for over 1,000 years. Local expert in Celtic history, Priscilla Oates, takes Claire to the place some believe to be St Winwaloe’s first hermitage, in the cliffs just off the beach. And the Rev Pat Robson tells Claire about Celtic Quiet Places, a project dedicated to keeping churches open so that visitors can find peace. Later, Melanie Chadwick, a local Christian artist, invites Claire to join a sketching group whose challenge is to capture their subject in just 15 minutes. Claire finds out about a time of challenge in Melanie’s life and how this inspired her to take up her paintbrush and share her creative calling with others.