Manordeifi Old St David's – Brought Back to Life

A formerly friendless little church, which would otherwise have been all but forgotten. Had it not been for the Friends of Friendless Churches (FoFC) charity who befriended it and brought it back to life!

From the FoFC website... “Over the centuries, churches have fallen out of use for many reasons. But we believe that these buildings represent the spiritual and artistic investment of generations, that they belong to all of us, and should be preserved for the future. We currently care for more than 60 places of worship in England and Wales.”

The following set of photographs were taken during a service and annual general meeting (AGM) organised by the FoFC and attended by charity officials, clergy and members of the charity.

It was very interesting to enter the building to see it'd been prepared for the service and the proceedings ahead. To be guided towards the pews amidst the austere interior decorated with lit candles. This was a pure and simple experience, plain, but very special indeed. Then, when the service began, the church really came to life and a number of us were left wondering when a service, let alone an event like this, had last been held. Just before the service began, a butterfly had flown in through the open sash window on the east chancel wall and sat on the flowers on the altar table!

The service took the form of an Evening Prayer led by The Rev'd. Alex Barrow and The Right Rev'd. Dr J Wyn Evans, Episcopal Patron of the FoFC. Lessons were from the 'Old and New Testaments, 2 Kings 4, 1-37 and Acts 25, 13 – end' respectively.

Minutes of the previous AGM were read and passed, followed by the 2023 AGM which included a fascinating and entertaining summary by Rachel Morley, FoFC Director, of a years work of fundraising, restoration, ideas and intentions for 2024 and beyond.

Manordeifi Old St David's Church is a redundant church in Manordeifi in the county of Pembrokeshire in Wales. It lies on the banks of the River Teifi, on a site which is still prone to frequent flooding. Inevitably, it was made redundant in 1899 after it fell out of regular use. A new church was built on higher ground but the original church was left standing. It is designated as a Grade II listed building and thankfully, since the year 2000, is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches (FoFC) who hold a 999 year lease!

For more information, please see.....
friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/church/st-davids-manor...

Video of AGM and summary of the recent work of the FoFC, held at the church.... www.youtube.com/watch?v=vikG5roF0yY

Taken on: October 7, 2023

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Sets appears in: • Churches Dyfed Pembrokeshire • Friends of Friendless Churches (FoFC)

Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM5, f/2.8, 1/15 sec, 41mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Sony ILCE-7RM5
Lens:	Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.067 sec (1/15)
Focal Length:	41mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	-0.3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Capture One 23 Windows
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