Conval was a 7th-century missionary originally from Ireland. According to traditions found in the Aberdeen Breviary, he was transported across the Irish Sea to Scotland by a stone while praying to reach distant lands. He operated within the Kingdom of Strathclyde, specifically in the East Renfrewshire region, where he is credited with establishing churches at locations such as Inchinnan, Pollokshaws, and Fereneze. He is venerated as a saint in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
Life and work
While some records suggest he was a follower of Kentigern of Glasgow, this connection may have been a later historical development. During his time in Scotland, he established several religious sites. He was traditionally buried at Inchinnan, where an impressive sarcophagus once held his remains. His presence in the region is still marked by local sites known as Conval wells in Barrhead and Thornliebank.
Veneration and legacy
The saint is commemorated on 28 September. In Inchinnan, a stone known as St Conval's Chariot is believed to be the vessel that carried him from Ireland. Local legends claim that pilgrims sought healing by drinking water from a hollow in this stone. Although the church dedicated to him in Inchinnan was eventually demolished, his historical influence remains through these local traditions and artifacts.