Congar | |
|---|---|
 Sculpture of St Congar ofCongresbury at theMuseum of Somerset | |
| Abbot & Bishop | |
| Born | c. 470 Llanwngar inPembrokeshire |
| Died | c. 520 Jerusalem |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Anglican Communion |
| Majorshrine | Congresbury,Somerset (destroyed) |
| Feast | 27 November |
SaintCongar (alsoCumgar orCungar;Welsh:Cyngar;Latin:Concarius) (c. 470 – 27 November 520) was aWelshabbot and supposedbishop inSomerset, then in the British kingdom of Somerset, now inEngland.
Congar grew up inPembrokeshire and travelled across theBristol Channel to found amonastery onCadbury Hill atCongresbury in Somerset. He gave his name to this village and to theparish church atBadgworth. This supposedly became the centre of abishopric which preceded theDiocese of Bath and Wells. Legend has it that his staff took root when he thrust it into the ground and the resulting yew tree can be seen to this day. He later returned toWales, but died on apilgrimage toJerusalem.
The parish ofCongresbury claimed to have enshrined Congar's body during the Middle Ages, and mentioned it in several pilgrim guides. There appear to have been no rival claimants for his relics. Congresbury itself is first mentioned inAsser’sLife of Alfred as a derelict Celtic monastery, probably related to Congar. Though a minor saint, he is mentioned in alitany of Winchester in about 1060, and his feast day was recorded in most medieval Somerset calendars.[1]
Churches dedicated to Congar may also be found inBrittany andCornwall, where he is said to have been ahermit at St Ingunger, in the parish ofLanivet.[2]
