The Church of Lannedern

I had heard that the Church at Lannédern was interesting and so after walking at Brasparts we set off to nearby Lannédern. 

The small hamlet of Lannédern has less than 1,000 inhabitants and has been this size for the past several hundred years. The Church of St Édern dates from the 16C-17C and it must have been expensive, so where did the money come from to build this elegant complex, and ornamented with carvings? St Édern arrived in the area riding on a deer, with his sister Genovefa, and we can see him on the Calvary. He established himself here in Lannédern (‘the place of Édern’) while she built a church at Loqueffret. (There might be a good walk linking the two places – next year!)

To reach the Bell Tower you climb up the steps along the side of the roof, and then up the ‘bobbles’ on the Tower itself…!

The Ossuary was built in 17C and converted to the Chapel of St Anne in 1668 and has also been used as a library. There are curious carvings on the Ossuary, and the Church itself, including the Ankou.

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The interior of the Church is charming, the atmosphere somewhat mysterious. The main feature is the tomb of St Édern, with his little deer at his feet – I found it rather wonderful and very sympathetic. He apparently came from Wales, settled in Brittany, and was finally buried here, the ‘place of St Édern’.

The Church has a Glory Beam and the usual carved beams with dragons, beasties, and saints.

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Is this face, with its beard, St Édern? I liked this unusual church, quiet and peaceful, off the tourist trail and yet with all the elements of an Enclos Paroissial. 

Further information
St Edern