Born in Devon; 6th century; feast day formerly on November 7 (although
this could be a different saint). There may be several saints with this
name or only one with two names. It's difficult to determine because of
the paucity of documentary evidence. His "vita" was not produced until
the 9th century, and it is moralistic rather than historical in nature.
Nevertheless the memory of Saint Cungar survives in the monasteries he
founded at Budgworth, Congresbury (Somerset) and at Llangonys
(Glamorgan). There are dedications to this Celtic saint in Wales,
Cornwall, and Brittany, and legends that suggest his was one of the
great monks who evangelized throughout the Celtic lands. It is amazing
that his name survived the influx of the heathen Saxons in his day,
which again leads to the conclusion that he was an especially great
missionary preacher. He is to be identified with Saint Docuinus
(Doguinus). This seems to be the name that was later corrupted into Oue
and Kew. Saint Cumgar was buried at Congresbury according to many
medieval records including pilgrim guides, to which town his own name
was given
(
Attwater2,
Benedictines,
Coulson,
Farmer).