Penrhys Grange

Penrhys is a village in Wales renowned for its deep religious history, particularly as a significant Christian pilgrimage site from medieval times until the 16th-century English Reformation. The heart of this pilgrimage was the shrine of "Our Lady" located at the holy well known as Ffynnon Fair. While the original shrine and its revered statue of the Virgin Mary were destroyed in 1538 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the spiritual importance of the site has endured. Modern efforts have led to the restoration of the holy well and the unveiling of a new statue of the Virgin Mary in 1953, drawing large crowds and reaffirming its status as a place of devotion. Penrhys is recognized as part of the Cistercian Way, continuing to attract pilgrims annually.

Historical Context

The history of Penrhys is intertwined with legends and historical events. While some traditions link its origins to the Welsh king Rhys ap Tewdwr, historical documents refer to the site as a 'manor' belonging to the Cistercian Abbey of Llantarnam. The manor, possibly an outlying grange, evolved into a pilgrimage destination by the 15th century, featuring a well, chapel, and hostelry to accommodate visitors. The destruction of the shrine in the 16th century marked a decline, but interest in its religious heritage resurfaced with industrialization in the Rhondda Valley during the 19th century. Archaeological investigations in the early 20th century and the subsequent erection of a new statue in the mid-20th century revitalized the site.

The Shrine and Holy Well

Ffynnon Fair, or St. Mary's Well, is the oldest recorded Christian site in the Rhondda, with potential pagan origins. The well's waters were believed to possess healing powers, particularly for ailments like rheumatism and poor eyesight. A vaulted stone building, largely constructed from local Pennant Sandstone, was built around the well and still exists today, albeit heavily restored. Legend recounts a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary appearing in an oak tree near the well, resisting all attempts to move it until a chapel and shrine were built. The original statue's destruction was a significant event, leading to a period where little of the original shrine survived, until its revival in the 20th century.