Collen

Who is Collen?

Saint Collen was a 7th-century monk who gave his name to Llangollen. St Collen is said to have arrived in Llangollen by coracle and founded a church beside the river there. As there are no other churches in Wales dedicated to St. Collen, it is possible that this St. Collen may also have connections in both Colan, Cornwall, where Colan Church is dedicated to him, and Langolen, Brittany.

St. Collen died on 21st May, probably sometime in the early 7th century. He was buried in his chapel. For centuries, it was known as the 'Old Church' and stood immediately to the west of the present medieval church of St. Collen in Llangollen.