Francis Stephens on St Winnoc

Thursday 8th January 2026

St Winnow or more properly St Winnoc was one of the tireless band of Celtic priests and evangelists who consolidated and extended the Christian Church in Wales, Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany

After the withdrawal of the Roman legions in the fifth century. St Winnoc probably grew up in Wales and came here in about 670 A.D. to begin his missionary work, forming a small religious community and establishing a Lan or sacred enclosure. Eventually he moved to northern France and founded a monastery at Wormhout, not far from Dunkirk.

According to legend when he became too infirm to rule the community he offered to grind corn in the monastery mill. The supply of flour diminished and the brethren complained he was found to be at his prayers rather than grinding corn in the monastery mill, the Lord decided that his prayers were much more important than grinding corn and obligingly sent an angel to do the work instead. 

He died there in 717 his relics related were later taken to the Abbey of Bergues-St Vinoc near Calais where the parish still exists.

In the small window near the transit the left hand figure carrying a hand mill which is his symbol.

Written by Francis Stephens probably 15 or more years ago

Parish of St Winoc, & St Folquin of the Houtland, Wormhout, France

Old St winoc Abbey Bergues France