Anglican diocese of the Church in Wales
The Diocese of Saint Asaph is a diocese of the Church in Wales in north-east Wales, named after Saint Asaph , its second bishop.
The Anglican Diocese of St Asaph in the north-east corner of Wales stretches from the borders of Chester in the east, to the Conwy valley in the west, to Bala in the south-west, and Newtown in the south-east. The population is in excess of half a million people.
The more populous areas are to be found along the coast and in the large conurbation of Wrexham , the principal town. The industrial areas around Wrexham and Deeside have undergone great change in the past decade or so. Where once the coal , steel and textile industries provided most of the employment, the economy is now much more diversified and one of the fastest growing in the UK. A major employer is Airbus UK (currently part of BAE Systems ), while Wrexham Industrial Estate is one of the largest in Europe. North-east Wales also acts as a dormitory area for Chester Business Park, which is dominated by MBNA . This economy is ministered to by an Industrial Chaplain, a post which alternates between a Church in Wales priest and a Presbyterian Church of Wales minister.
Most of the diocese is rural, interspersed with small market towns and village communities. The southern area of the diocese in north Powys is undergoing regional development, especially with the advent of a good number of small industries. Because of the beauty of the landscape, at holiday times there is a large influx of visitors from England and further afield. Tourism is now one of the growth industries of this area of Wales.
Traditionally, the Diocese of St Asaph extended across the border into England . However, following disestablishment on 31 March 1920, the Shropshire parishes of Criftins, Hengoed, Kinnerley, Knockin, Llanyblodwel, Llanymynech, Melverley, Morton, Oswestry, St Martins, Selattyn, Trefonen, Weston Rhyn and Whittington were transferred from the Diocese of St Asaph to the English Diocese of Lichfield .
This diocese was founded by St. Kentigern about the middle of the sixth century, when he was exiled from his see in Scotland. He founded a monastery called Llanelwy at the confluence of the rivers Clwyd and Elwy in north east Wales, where after his return to Scotland in 573 he was succeeded by Asaph or Asa, who was consecrated Bishop of Llanelwy .
The diocese originally coincided with the Welsh principality of Powys , but lost much territory first by the Mercian encroachment marked by Watt's dyke and again by the construction of Offa's dyke , soon after 798. Nothing is known of the history of the diocese during the disturbed period that followed. Domesday Book gives scanty particulars of a few churches but is silent as to the cathedral .
Early in the twelfth century, Norman influence asserted itself and in 1143 Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury , consecrated one Gilbert as Bishop of St. Asaph, but the position of his successors was very difficult and one of them, Godfrey, was driven away by poverty and the hostility of the Welsh. A return made in the middle of the thirteenth century (British Library, Cotton MSS, Vitellius, c. x.) shows the existence of eight rural deaneries, seventy-nine churches, and nineteen chapels. By 1291 the deaneries had been doubled in number and there were Cistercian houses at Basingwerk , Aberconway , Strata Marcella and Valle Crucis , and a Cistercian nunnery , Llanllugan Abbey . The cathedral, which had been burnt in the wars, was rebuilt and completed in 1295. It was a plain massive structure of simple plan, and was again destroyed during the English succession Wars of the Roses . When it was restored by Bishop Redman the palace was not rebuilt and thus the bishops continued to be nonresident. At the end of the fifteenth century there was a great revival of church building, as is evidenced by the churches of that date still existing in the diocese.
The chief shrines in the diocese were St. Winefred's Well, St. Garmon in Yale (Welsh : Iâl ), St. Dervel Gadarn in Edeirnion , St. Monacella at Pennant and the Holy Cross in Strata Marcella . All these were demolished at the Anglican Reformation . At that time the diocese contained one archdeaconry, sixteen deaneries and one hundred and twenty-one parishes. The bishop at this time had five episcopal residences, four of which were assumed by the Church of England bishop under Edward VI.
The Report of the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to inquire into the Ecclesiastical Revenues of England and Wales (1835) found the see had an annual net income of £6,301. This made it the wealthiest diocese in Wales and the fourth richest in Britain after Canterbury, London and Winchester.[ 1]
Lists of archdeacons [ edit ]
Archdeacons of St Asaph [ edit ]
Archdeacons of Montgomery [ edit ]
The archdeaconry was created from that of St Asaph on 6 February 1844. [ 2]
Archdeacons of Wrexham [ edit ]
The archdeaconry was created from those of St Asaph and of Montgomery on 25 March 1890. [ 3]
Some archdeacons of Wrexham are recorded with the title Archdeacon of Wrexham and Ruthin.
Hayley Deborah Yeshua Matthews (born 1968)[ 6] was collated Archdeacon of Wrexham on 5 March 2023.[ 7] She trained for the ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge before receiving ordination in the Church of England :[ 6] she was made deacon at Petertide 2007 (1 July) — by Nicholas Reade , Bishop of Blackburn , at Blackburn Cathedral [ 8] — and ordained priest the following Petertide (28 June 2008) — by Geoff Pearson , Bishop of Lancaster , at Lancaster Priory (i.e. Matthews' title church). During her time in Lancaster she was Chair of Churches Together Lancaster,[ 9] Chaplain to the Dukes Theatre,[ 10] and Honorary Padre to the Duke of Lancaster's Regimental Association.[ 11] [ 12] She served her title (curacy) at Lancaster Priory before moving to Manchester: first as Pioneer Chaplain to MediaCityUK and Honorary Chaplain to Salford University [ 13] and the BBC where she was a regular contributor to BBC Radio Manchester,[ 14] then as Rector of Holy Innocents Fallowfield [ 15] with Birch , Honorary Chaplain to Manchester University at St Peter's House and Padre to 6MI Manchester.[ 16] From 2012 - 2018 Matthews served as Trustee to the William Temple Foundation, latterly as acting Chair [ 17] publishing the Temple Tract Grace and Power: sexuality and gender in the CHurch of England in 2015.[ 18] Matthews was Director of Lay Training for Leeds diocese , Principal of Leeds School of Ministry, and an honorary canon of Ripon Cathedral prior to her archidiaconal appointment.[ 6]
Archdeaconries and deaneries [ edit ]
Diocese
Archdeaconry
Deanery
Churches
Population
People/church
Diocese of St Asaph
Archdeaconry of Montgomery
Deanery of Cedewain
9
17,716
1,968
Deanery of Mathrafal
21
12,707
605
Deanery of Penedeyrn
6
7,786
1,298
Deanery of Pool
15
16,010
1,067
Deanery of Valle Crucis
11
11,078
1,007
Archdeaconry of St Asaph
Deanery of Denbigh
14
18,794
1,342
Deanery of Dyffryn Clwyd
12
11,894
991
Deanery of Holywell
14
35,404
2,529
Deanery of Llanrwst and Rhos
26
74,181
2,853
Deanery of St Asaph
16
69,730
4,358
Archdeaconry of Wrexham
Deanery of Alyn
12
44,250
3,688
Deanery of Dee Valley
18
38,741
2,152
Deanery of Hawarden
19
80,416
4,232
Deanery of Mold
11
24,178
2,198
Deanery of Wrexham
8
48,615
6,077
Total/average
212
511,500
2,413
The diocese has expended a great deal of effort in recent years to reorganise its system of 14 deaneries and parishes into 20 Mission Areas,[ 19] each containing between six and nineteen churches and being ministered to by two to ten stipendiary clergy.
APC = ancient parish church; MC = medieval chapelry.
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Alyn Mission Area (union of the parishes of Broughton , Brymbo , Bwlchgwyn , Gresford , Gwersyllt , Holt , Isycoed , Llay , Minera St Mary, Minera St Tydfil, Pentre Broughton , Rossett , Southsea ) [ 20]
All Saints, Gresford
Medieval
Broughton , Brymbo , Coedpoeth , Gresford , Gwersyllt , Holt , Isycoed , Llay , Minera , Rossett
44,250
St Paul, Pentre Broughton
1889
All Saints, Southsea
1884 (C19th)
St Mary, Brymbo
1871
Christ Church, Bwlchgwyn
1867
St Tydfil, Coedpoeth
1875 (1895)
Holy Trinity, Gwersyllt
1851
St Chad, Holt
Medieval
St Paul, Isycoed
1718 (1829)
St Martin of Tours, Llay
1925
St Mary, Minera
C17th (1866)
Christ Church, Rossett
C17th (1892)
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Cedewain Mission Area (union of the parishes of Aberhafesp , Betws Cedewain , Dolfor , Kerry , Llanllwchaiarn All Saints, Llanllwchaiarn St Llwchaiarn, Llanmerewig , Llanwyddelan, Mochdre , Tregynon ) [ 26]
St Gwynog, Aberhafesp
Medieval
Aberhafesp , Bettws Cedewain , Dwyriw (Llanwyddelan area), Kerry , Llandyssil (Llanmerewig area), Mochdre (Mochdre area), Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn , Tregynon
17,716
St Llwchaiarn, Llanllwchaiarn
Medieval (1816)
All Saints, Newtown
1890
St Beuno, Bettws Cedewain
Medieval
St Gwyddelan, Llanwyddelan
Medieval (1865)
St Michael & All Angels, Kerry
Medieval
St Llwchaiarn, Llanmerewig
Medieval (1845)
All Saints, Mochdre
Medieval (1867)
St Cynon, Tregynon
Medieval
Closed churches in this area [ edit ]
Church
Location
Founded (building)
Closed
St Mary, Newtown[ 27]
Newtown
Medieval
1856
St David, Newtown[ 27]
Newtown
1843
2006
St Paul, Dolfor[ 28]
Dolfor
C19th
2020
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Maelor Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bangor Monachorum , Bettisfield , Bronington , Erbistock , Eyton, Hanmer , Marchwiel , Overton , Penley , Worthenbury ) [ 29]
St Dunawd, Bangor-on-Dee
Medieval
Bangor Is-y-Coed , Bronington , Erbistock , Hanmer , Maelor South , Marchwiel , Overton , Sesswick , Willington Worthenbury
8,865
Holy Trinity, Bronington
1836
St Hilary, Erbistock
Medieval (1861)
St Deiniol, Eyton
??? (1930s)
St Chad, Hanmer
Medieval (1892)
St John the Baptist, Bettisfield
1851 (1874)
St Mary Magdalene, Penley
c. 1538 (1901)
SS Deiniol & Marcella, Marchwiel
Medieval (1778)
St Mary the Virgin, Overton-on-Dee
Medieval
St Deiniol, Worthenbury
Medieval (1739)
Offa Mission Area (union of the parishes of Chirk , Froncysyllte , Penycae , Rhosllanerchrugog St David, Rhosllanerchrugog St Mary, Rhosymedre , Ruabon All Saints, Ruabon St Mary) [ 30]
St John the Evangelist, Rhosymedre
1837
Cefn , Chirk , Llangollen Rural (Froncysyllte area), Penycae , Rhosllanerchrugog , Ruabon
29,876
St Mary, Chirk
11th Century[ 31]
St David, Froncysyllte
1871
St Thomas, Penycae
1878
St David, Rhosllanerchrugog
1893
St Mary, Johnstown
1929
St Mary, Ruabon
Ancient (Medieval)
All Saints, Pen-y-lan
1889
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Church
Location
Founded (building)
Closed
Halton Mission Church[ 32]
Chirk
1878
pre-1998
St John the Evangelist, Rhosllanerchrugog[ 33]
Rhosllanerchrugog
1853
2005
St Mary Magdalene, Tallarn Green
Tallarn Green
1851 (1873)
2007
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Denbigh Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bodfari , Bylchau , Caerwys , Cefn , Denbigh St Marcella, Denbigh St Mary, Henllan , Llandyrnog St Cwyfan, Llandyrnog St Tyrnog, Llangwyfan, Llannefydd , Llanrhaeadr-Yng-Nghinmeirch , Nantglyn , Sinan, Trefnant , Tremeirchion ) [ 34]
St Stephen, Bodfari
Medieval (1865)
Aberwheeler , Bodfari , Caerwys , Cefnmeiriadog , Denbigh , Henllan , Llandyrnog , Llannefydd , Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch , Llansannan (Bylchau area), Nantglyn , Trefnant , Tremeirchion
18,794
St Mary, Cefn Meiriadog
1864
All Saints, Sinan
1873
St Mary the Virgin, Denbigh
1875
St Marcella, Llanfarchell
Medieval
St Sadwrn, Henllan
Medieval (1806)
St Tyrnog, Llandyrnog
Medieval
St Cwyfan, Llangwyfan
Medieval
St Dyfnog, Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch
Medieval
St James, Nantglyn
Medieval (1862)
Holy Trinity, Trefnant
1855
Corpus Christi, Tremeirchion
Medieval
St Michael, Caerwys
Medieval
SS Nefydd & Mary, Llannefydd
Ancient (Medieval)
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Dyffryn Clwyd Deanery [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area (union of the parishes of Clocaenog , Efenechtyd , Gyffylliog , Llanarmon Yn Ial , Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd , Llanelidan , Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd , Llanfwrog , Llangynhafal , Llanrhydd , Llanychan , Llanynys , Rhewl , Ruthin ) [ 38]
St Foddhyd, Clocaenog
Medieval
Clocaenog , Cyffylliog , Derwen , Efenechtyd , Llanarmon-yn-Iâl , Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd , Llanelidan , Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd , Llangynhafal , Llanynys , Ruthin
11,894
St Mary, Cyffylliog
Medieval
St Michael, Efenechtyd
Medieval
St Garmon, Llanarmon-yn-Iâl
Medieval (1736)
St Peter, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd
Medieval (1863)
St Meugan, Llanrhydd
Ancient (Medieval)
SS Cynfarch & Mary, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd
Medieval
St Cynhafal, Llangynhafal
Medieval
St Hychan, Llanychan
Medieval
St Saeran, Llanynys
Medieval
Minster of St Peter, Ruthin
Medieval (C17th)
SS Mwrog & Mary, Llanfwrog
Medieval
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Borderlands Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bistre All Saints, Bistre Emmanuel, Bistre St Cecilia, Broughton , Buckley Good Shepherd, Buckley St Matthew, Connah's Quay St David, Connah's Quay St Mark, Cymau , Ewloe , Hawarden , Hope , Llanfynydd , Mynydd Isa , Pentrobin, Penyffordd , Queensferry , Sandycroft , Sealand , Shotton ) [ 40]
St Cecilia, Mynydd Isa
1892
Argoed (Mynydd Isa area), Broughton and Bretton , Buckley , Connah's Quay , Hawarden , Hope , Llanfynydd , Northop Hall , Penyffordd , Queensferry , Sealand , Shotton
80,416
St Mary, Broughton
1824
Emmanuel, Buckley
1842
St Matthew, Buckley
1822
All Saints, Buckley
pre-1892 (1892)
The Good Shepherd, Drury
late C19th
St Mark, Connah's Quay
1837
St David, Connah's Quay
1915
St Deiniol, Hawarden
Medieval (1859)
Holy Spirit, Ewloe
1938
St Francis, Sandycroft
1875 (1913)
St Cynfarch, Hope
Medieval
St Michael & All Angels, Llanfynydd
1843
All Saints, Cymau
1870
Emmanuel, Penyffordd
??? (1959)
St John the Baptist, Penmynydd
1843
St Bartholomew, Sealand
1867
St Andrew, Queensferry
pre-1900
St Ethelwold, Shotton
1875 (1902)
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Church
Location
Founded (building)
Closed
St Michael & All Angels, Mancot Royal[ 41]
Mancot
Holy Innocents, Queensferry[ 42]
Queensferry
1887 (1889)
1960
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Estuary and Mountain Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bagillt , Brynford , Caerfallwch, Flint SS Mary & David, Flint St Thomas, Gorsedd, Halkyn , Holywell Holy Trinity, Holywell St James, Holywell St Peter, Mostyn , Rhesycae , Rhosesmor , Whitford , Ysgeifiog ) [ 43]
St Peter, Holywell
??? (2008)
Bagillt , Brynford , Flint , Halkyn , Holywell , Mostyn , Whitford , Ysceifiog
35,404
Holy Trinity, Greenfield
1871
SS Mary & Peter, Bagillt
1839
St Michael, Brynford
1853
SS Mary & David, Flint
Medieval (1848)
St Thomas, Flint Mountain
1875
St Mary the Virgin, Halkyn
Medieval (1878)
Christ Church, Rhes-y-cae
1847
St Paul, Rhosesmor
1876
St James the Apostle, Holywell
Ancient (1769)
Christ Church, Mostyn
1845
SS Mary & Beuno, Whitford
Ancient (Medieval)
St Paul, Gorsedd
1853
St Mary, Ysceifiog
Medieval (1839)
Closed churches in this area [ edit ]
Church
Location
Founded (building)
Closed
St David, Flint[ 44]
Flint
1872
2011
Llanrwst and Rhos Deanery [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Aberconwy Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bryn Pydew, Craigydon , Deganwy , Eglwysrhos , Llanddoget , Llandudno Junction , Llangystenin , Llanrwst , Llansantffraid Glan Conwy , Penrhyn Bay ) [ 45]
All Saints, Deganwy
1899
Bro Garmon , Conwy (Deganwy, Marl & Pensarn EDs), Eglwysbach , Llanddoged and Maenan , Llandudno (Craig-y-Don & Penrhyn EDs), Llanrwst , Llansanffraid Glan Conwy
26,673
St Michael & All Angels, Llandudno Junction
1930
SS Eleri & Mary, Llanrhos
Medieval
St Martin, Eglwysbach
Medieval (1782)
St Paul, Craig-y-Don
1895
St Cystennin, Llangystennin
C15th (1843)
St David, Penrhyn Bay
1963
St Grwst, Llanrwst
Ancient (Medieval)
St Ffraid, Llansantffraid Glan Conwy
Medieval (1841)
Aled Mission Area (union of the parishes of Abergele , Betws-Yn-Rhos , Brynymaen, Colwyn , Colwyn Bay St David, Colwyn St Paul, Llanddulas , Llandrillo-Yn-Rhos St George, Llandrillo-Yn-Rhos St Trillo, Llanelian, Llanfair Talhaearn , Llangernyw , Llysfaen , Pensarn , St George ) [ 46]
St Michael, Abergele
Medieval
Abergele , Betws yn Rhos , Colwyn Bay , Llanddulas and Rhyd-y-foel , Llanfair Talhaiarn , Llangernyw , Llansannan (Llansannan area), Llysfaen , Mochdre , Old Colwyn , Rhos-on-Sea
47,508
St David, Pensarn
1880 (2011)
St George, St George
Medieval (1893)
St Michael, Betws yn Rhos
Medieval (1838)
St Elian, Llanelian
Medieval
St David, Colwyn Bay
1903
St Paul, Colwyn Bay
1872 (1888)
Christ Church, Bryn-y-Maen
1899
St Cynfryd, Llanddulas
Medieval (1869)
St Mary, Llanfair Talhaiarn
Medieval (C17th)
St Digain, Llangernyw
Medieval
St Sannan, Llansannan
Medieval
St Cynfran, Llysfaen
Ancient (Medieval)
SS Catherine & John the Baptist, Old Colwyn
1903
St George, Rhos-on-Sea
1913
St Trillo's Chapel, Rhos-on-Sea
Ancient
St Trillo, Rhos-on-Sea
Medieval
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Church
Location
Founded (building)
Closed
St John, Trofarth
Betws yn Rhos
1873
c. 2009
St Garmon, Capel Garmon
Capel Garmon
Medieval
pre-2006
St Andrew, Colwyn Bay[ 47]
Colwyn Bay
1908
2013
St Winifred, Gwytherin[ 48]
Gwytherin
Medieval (1867)
St John the Baptist, Pontygwyddel[ 49]
Llanfair Talhaiarn
1882
1982
St Mary, Llanrwst
Llanrwst
1841-1842
1980s
St Catherine, Old Colwyn
Old Colwyn
1837
2013
St David, Llangernyw[ 50]
Pandy Tudur
1866-1867
St Doged, Llandoged1
Llanddoget
Medieval
2020
St Catherine, Bryn Pydew
Bryn Pydew
early C20th (1961)
2020
1 Occasional services still held
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Caereinion Mission Area (union of the parishes of Garthbeibio, Llanerfyl , Llanfair Caereinion , Llangadfan , Llangynyw , Llanllugan, Manafon , Meifod , Pont Dolanog, Pont Robert ) [ 51]
St Tydecho, Garthbeibio
Medieval (1862)
Banwy , Dwyriw (Llanllugan area), Llanerfyl , Llanfair Caereinion , Llanfihangel (Dolanog area), Llangyniew , Manafon , Meifod (Meifod area)
5,025
St Cadfan, Llangadfan
Medieval
St Mary, Llanllugan
Medieval
St Erfyl, Llanerfyl
Medieval (1870)
St Mary, Llanfair Caereinion
Medieval (1868)
St John the Evangelist, Dolanog
1853
St Cynyw, Llangynyw
Medieval
St John the Evangelist, Pontrobert
1853
St Michael & All Angels, Manafon
Medieval
SS Tysilio & Mary, Meifod
Medieval
Tanat-Vyrnwy Mission Area (union of the parishes of Brithdir, Bwlchycibau , Llanarmon Mynydd , Llanfechain , Llangadwaladr , Llangedwyn , Llangynog , Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant , Llansantffraid-Ym-Mechain , Llansilin , Llanwddyn , Llwydiarth , Pennant Melangell, Penybontfawr ) [ 52]
St Cedwyn, Llangedwyn
Medieval
Llanfechain , Llanfihangel (Llanfihangel area), Llanfyllin , Llangedwyn , Llangynog , Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant , Llansantffraid , Llansilin , Llanwddyn , Meifod (Bwlchycibau area), Pen-y-bont-fawr
7,682
St Melangell, Pennant Melangell
Medieval
St Dogfan, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant
Medieval
St Silin, Llansilin
Medieval
St Thomas, Penybontfawr
1855
St Garmon, Llanfechain
Medieval
St Mary, Llwydiarth
1854
St Myllin, Llanfyllin
Medieval (1710)
St Ffraid, Llansantffraid-ym-Mechan
Medieval
St Wyddyn, Llanwddyn
1887
Christ Church, Bwlchycibau
1864
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Mold Mission Area (union of the parishes of New Brighton , Cilcain , Gwernaffield , Llanferres , Mold , Nannerch , Nercwys , Northop SS Eurgain & Peter, Northop St Mary, Pontblyddyn , Rhyd-Y-Mwyn , and Treuddyn ) [ 58]
St James, New Brighton
1893
Argoed (New Brighton area), Cilcain , Gwernaffield with Pantymwyn , Gwernymynydd , Leeswood and Pontblyddyn , Llanferres , Mold , Nannerch , Nercwys , Northop , Treuddyn
24,178
St Mary, Cilcain
Medieval
St John the Evangelist, Rhydymwyn
1864
Holy Trinity, Gwernaffield
1838 (1872)
Christ Church, Pontblyddyn
1836
St Mary, Mold
Medieval (c. 1500)
St Michael & All Angels, Nannerch
Medieval (1853)
St Mary, Nercwys
Medieval
SS Eurgain & Peter, Northop
Medieval
St Mary, Treuddyn
Medieval (1875)
St Berres, Llanferres
Medieval
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Penedeyrn Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bala , Cerrigydrudion , Dinmael, Frongoch , Llandderfel , Llandrillo , Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr , Llangar , Llangwm , Llawrybetws, Ysbyty Ifan ) [ 60]
Christ Church, Bala
1811 (1857)
Bala , Betws Gwerfil Goch , Cerrigydrudion , Cynwyd , Llandderfel , Llandrillo , Llanfihangel Glen Myfyr , Llangwm , Llangywer , Llanuwchllyn , Llanycil , Pentrefoelas , Ysbyty Ifan
7,786
St Mary Magdalene, Cerrigydrudion
Medieval
St Catherine, Maerdy
1878
St Derfel, Llandderfel
APC
St Trillo, Llandrillo-yn-Edeyrn
APC (1776)
St John the Evangelist, Cynwyd
1856
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Church
Location
Founded (building)
Closed
St Mary, Betws Gwerful Goch
Betws Gwerfil Goch
APC
St Mark, Frongoch[ 61]
Frongoch
1858
St Michael, Llanfihangel Glen Myfyr
Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr
APC
20201
SS Mor & Deiniol, Llanfor[ 62]
Llanfor
APC
1992
All Saints, Llangar
Llangar
APC
1856
St Jerome, Llangwm
Llangwm
Medieval (1747)
St Cywair, Llangywer[ 63]
Llangywer
APC (1871)
c. 2000
St Deiniol, Llanuwchllyn[ 64]
Llanuwchllyn
APC
2004
St Beuno, Llanycil[ 65]
Llanycil
APC
c. 2000
St James, Llawrybetws[ 66]
Llawrybetws
1861
Pentrefoelas Parish Church[ 67]
Pentrefoelas
C18th (1859)
Holy Trinity, Rhosygwaliau[ 63]
Rhos-y-gwaliau
1880
St John, Ysbyty Ifan[ 68]
Ysbyty Ifan
APC (1861)
2016
1 occasional services still held
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Pool Mission Area (union of the parishes of Berriew , Buttington , Castle Caereinion , Criggion , Forden , Fron, Guilsfield , Llandrinio , Llandysilio St Mary, Llandysilio St Tysilio, Llandyssil , Montgomery , Pantyffridd, Penrhos, Pool Quay , Welshpool ) [ 69]
St Aelhaiarn, Guilsfield
Medieval
Bausley with Criggion , Berriew , Castle Caereinion , Forden with Leighton and Trelystan , Guilsfield , Llandrinio , Llandysilio , Llandyssil (Llandyssil area), Montgomery , Trewern , Welshpool
16,010
St Beuno, Berriew
Medieval
St John's Mission Church, Garthmyl
C19th
Pantyffridd Mission Church
1858
All Saints, Buttington
Medieval
St John the Evangelist, Pool Quay
1862
St Tysilio, Llandysilio
Medieval (1867)
SS Trinio, Peter & Paul, Llandrinio
Medieval
St Michael & All Angels, Criggion
c. 1770
Holy Trinity, Penrhos
pre-1627 (1845)
St Michael & All Angels, Forden
Medieval (1867)
St Tysul, Llandyssil
Medieval (1866)
St Nicholas, Montgomery
Medieval
St Garmon, Castle Caereinion
Medieval (1865)
St Mary, Welshpool
Medieval
Closed churches in this area [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Aber-Morfa Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bodelwyddan , Rhuddlan , Rhyl Holy Trinity, Rhyl St Ann, Rhyl St Thomas, Towyn ) [ 72]
St Margaret, Bodelwyddan
1860
Bodelwyddan , Kinmel Bay and Towyn , Rhuddlan , Rhyl
39,465
St Mary, Rhuddlan
Medieval
Holy Trinity, Rhyl
1835
St Thomas, Rhyl
1867
St Ann, Rhyl
1894
St Mary, Towyn
1873
Bryn A Mor Mission Area [1] (union of the parishes of Cwm , Dyserth St Bridget, Dyserth SS Mael & Sulien, Dyserth St Michael, Ffynnongroyw , Gronant , Gwaenysgor , Llanasa , Meliden St Mary Magdalene, Meliden St Melyd, Newmarket, Prestatyn Christ Church, Prestatyn Holy Spirit, Trelawnyd ) [ 73]
SS Bridget & Cwyfan, Lower Dyserth
Medieval
Cwm , Dyserth , Llanasa , Prestatyn , Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor
26,669
St Michael & All Angels, Trelawnyd
Medieval (1724)
SS Asaph & Cyndeyrn, Llanasa
Medieval
All Saints, Ffynnongroew
1881
St Mary Magdalene, Gwaenysgor
Medieval
St Melyd, Meliden
Medieval
Christ Church, Prestatyn
1863
Holy Spirit, Prestatyn
1968
St Asaph [ 74]
Cathedral of SS Asaph & Cyndeyrn, St Asaph
Ancient (Medieval)
St Asaph , Waen
3,596
SS Asaph & Cyndeyrn, St Asaph
Medieval (1872)
Closed churches in this area [ edit ]
Church
Location
Founded (building)
Closed
SS Mael & Sulien, Cwm[ 75]
Cwm
Medieval (c. 1500)
St John, Rhyl[ 76]
Rhyl
1885
1997
Valle Crucis Deanery [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Valle Crucis Mission Area (union of the parishes of Bryneglwys , Corwen St Ffraid, Corwen SS Mael & Sulien, Glyndyfrdwy , Gwyddelwern , Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog , Llandegla , Llangollen St Collen, Llangollen St John, Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog , Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy , Llantysilio , Pontfadog , Trevor ) [ 77]
St Collen’s, Llangollen
Medieval
Bryneglwys , Ceiriog Ucha , Corwen , Glyntraian , Gwyddelwern , Llandegla , Llangollen , Llangollen Rural (Trevor area), Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog , Llantysilio
11,078
St John, Llangollen
1858
St Tysilio, Llantysilio
Medieval
Trevor Parish Church
1772
SS Mael & Sulien, Corwen
APC
St Ffraid, Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy
APC (1611)
St Thomas, Glyndyfrdwy
1859
St Tysilio, Bryneglwys
?
St Tecla, Llandegla
? (1866)
St Garmon, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog
Medieval (1845)
St John the Baptist, Pontfadog
1847
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
Parish
Church
Founded (building)
Communities served
Population served
Wrexham (union of the parishes of Bersham , Esclusham , Rhosddu , Wrexham All Saints, Wrexham St Giles, Wrexham St James, Wrexham St John, Wrexham St Margaret, Wrexham St Mark) [ 83]
St Mary, Bersham
1873
Abenbury , Esclusham , Wrexham Acton , Wrexham Caia Park , Wrexham Offa , Wrexham Rhosddu
48,615
Holy Trinity, Esclusham
1877
St John, Rhosnesni
1894 (1974)
St Mark, Caia Park
1961
St Giles, Wrexham
Medieval
All Saints, Wrexham
1912
St Margaret, Garden Village
1928
Closed churches in the area [ edit ]
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^ "No. 20314" . The London Gazette . 6 February 1844. pp. 403–405.
^ "No. 26036" . The London Gazette . 25 March 1890. pp. 1793–1794.
^ "New Archdeacon of Wrexham to be installed next Sunday" . The Leader . October 1, 2018.
^ "New Archdeacon of Wrexham" .
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^ "Petertide ordinations" . Church Times . No. 7530. 6 July 2007. p. 25. ISSN 0009-658X . Retrieved 9 August 2023 – via UK Press Online archives.
^ "Churches Together: Lancaster - Home Page" . www.churchestogether.org .
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^ "Regimental Association" .
^ "Petertide ordinations" . Church Times . No. 7581. 4 July 2008. p. 22. ISSN 0009-658X . Retrieved 9 August 2023 – via UK Press Online archives.
^ Salford, The University of. "Faith | University of Salford" . www.salford.ac.uk .
^ "• Sunday Breakfast" . mikeshaft.com .
^ "Holy Innocents' Fallowfield, Manchester" . www.achurchnearyou.com .
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^ "William Temple Foundation - Shaping debate on religion in public life" . William Temple Foundation .
^ [Grace & Power: Sexuality and Gender in the Church of England (2015)]
^ "Mission Area Map - The Diocese of St. Asaph" . The Diocese of St. Asaph . Retrieved 2017-11-15 .
^ "The Benefice of Alyn Mission Area, Comprising Broughton with Berse, Brymbo, Bwlchgwyn, Gresford, Gwersyllt, Holt, Isycoed, Llay, Minera with Coedpoeth, Rossett, and Southsea" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "Church Of St Peter, Brynteg, Wrexham (12562)" . Coflein . RCAHMW . Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ Randall, Liam (2015-08-22). "Property Insider: Converted Wrexham church with beautiful stained glass windows on sale for £325,000" . northwales . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "St John's Church, Brymbo (420455)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ IE. "Tanyfron Church" . www.clwydfhs.org.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "St Peter's Church, Main Road, Rhosrobin (12496)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Cedewain Mission Area, Comprising Aberhafesp, Betws Cedewain, Dolfor, Kerry, Llanllwchaiarn and Newtown, Llanmerewig, Llanwyddelan, Mochdre, and Tregynon" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ a b "Home" . www.newtownparishes.co.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "St Paul's Church, Dolfor (421133)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Maelor Mission Area, Comprising Bangor Monachorum, Bettisfield, Bronington, Erbistock, Hanmer and Tallarn Green, Marchwiel, Overton, Penley, and Worthenbury" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "The Benefice of Offa Mission Area, Comprising Chirk, Penycae, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon, and Rhosymedre" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "A Brief History – St Mary's Church, Chirk" . www.stmaryschirk.org.uk . 12 May 2017. Retrieved 2019-11-27 .
^ "Check out this property for sale on Rightmove!" . Rightmove.co.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "St. Johns Parish Church, Rhos - Wrexham History" . Wrexham History . 2017-05-04. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-27 .{{cite news }}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link )
^ "The Benefice of Denbigh Mission Area, Comprising Bodfari, Bylchau, Caerwys, Cefn, Henllan, Llandyrnog, Llangwyfan, Llannefydd, Llanrhaeadr-Yng-Nghinmeirch, Nantglyn, Sinan, Trefnant, and Tremeirchion" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "Bylchau, Denbigh Detached house - £60,000" . OnTheMarket . Retrieved 2019-10-17 .
^ IE. "Denbigh St David's Church" . www.clwydfhs.org.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "St James's Church, Prion (420601)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area, Comprising Clocaenog, Derwen, Efenechtyd, Gyffylliog, Llanarmon Yn Ial, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanelidan, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanfwrog, Llangynhafal, and Llanychan with Llanynys" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "missionarea.info" . www.missionarea.info . Retrieved 2017-07-25 .
^ "The Benefice of Borderlands Mission Area, Comprising Bistre, Broughton, Buckley, Connah's Quay, Hawarden, Hope, Llanfynydd, Pentrobin, Sandycroft, Sealand, and Shotton" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "St Michael & All Angels' Church, Mancot Royal (12418)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "Holy Innocents' Church (420482)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Estuary and Mountain Mission Area, Comprising Bagillt, Brynford, Caerfallwch, Flint, Gorsedd, Halkyn, Holywell, Mostyn, Rhesycae, Whitford, and Ysgeifiog" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "Mission Church, Pentre (420511)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Aberconwy Mission Area, Comprising Bryn Pydew, Craigydon, Deganwy, Eglwysbach, Glan Conwy, Llanddoget, Llandudno Junction, Llangystenin, Llanrhos, Llanrwst, and Penrhyn Bay" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "The Benefice of Aled Mission Area, Comprising Abergele, Betws-Yn-Rhos with Trofarth, Brynymaen, Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, Llanddulas, Llandrillo-Yn-Rhos, Llanelian, Llysfaen, Petryal, and St George" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "St Andrew's Church, Colwyn Bay has now closed - The Benefice of Colwyn Bay and Bryn-y-Maen" . parish.churchinwales.org.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "St Winifred's Church, Gwytherin (400478)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St John The Baptist Church, Pontygwyddel (420504)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St David's Church, Llangernyw (309567)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Caereinion Mission Area, Comprising Garthbeibio, Llanerfyl, Llanfair Caereinion, Llangadfan, Llangynyw, Llanllugan, Manafon, Meifod, Pont Dolanog, and Pont Robert" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "The Benefice of Tanat-Vyrnwy Mission Area, Comprising Bwlchycibau, Llanfechain, Llanfyllin with Llanwddyn, Llangadwaladr, Llangedwyn, Llangynog, Llansantffraid-Ym-Mechain, Llansilin, Llwydiarth, Pennant Melangell, and Penybontfawr" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2021-02-02 .
^ "St Cynog's Church, Llangynog (12254)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Mary's Church, Brithdir (420453)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Garmon's Church, Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr (400610)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Illog's Church, Hirnant (408477)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Wddyn's Church, Llanwddyn (309969)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Mold (St Mary) Mission Area, Comprising Cilcain, Gwernaffield, Llanferres, Mold, Nannerch, Nercwys, Northop, Pontblyddyn, Rhyd-Y-Mwyn, and Treuddyn" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "St John's Welsh Church, Mold (23432)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "The Benefice of Penedeyrn Mission Area, Comprising Bala, Betws Gwerful Goch, Cerrigydrudion, Llandderfel, Llandrillo-Yn-Edeirnion, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Llangar, Llangwm, Llawrybetws, and Ysbyty Ifan with Pentrefoelas" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "St Mark's Church, Frongoch (420505)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Deiniol's Church (43868)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ a b "St Cywair's Church, Llangower (43865)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ GENUKI. "Genuki: Llanuwchllyn, Merionethshire" . www.genuki.org.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-23 .
^ "St Beuno's Church, Llanycil (43858)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "Llawr y Betws Parish Church" . www.clwydfhs.org.uk . Retrieved 2021-11-02 .
^ "Check out this commercial property on Rightmove!" . Rightmove.co.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "St. John's Church, Ysbyty Ifan" . Guto Bebb . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "The Benefice of Pool Mission Area, Comprising Berriew, Buttington, Castle Caereinion, Criggion, Forden, Guilsfield, Llandrinio, Llandysilio, Llandyssil, Montgomery, Penrhos, Pool Quay, and Welshpool" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "Mission Church, Trewern (421190)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ Designs, Daydream. "Belan Mission Church" . Church Near Me . Retrieved 2021-02-02 .
^ "The Benefice of Aber-Morfa Mission Area, Comprising Bodelwyddan, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Rhyl St Ann, and Towyn" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "The Benefice of Bryn A Mor Mission Area, Comprising Cwm, Dyserth, Ffynnongroyw, Gwaenysgor, Llanasa, Meliden, Prestatyn, and Trelawnyd" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "The Benefice of St Asaph (Cathedral of St Asaph and St Cyndeyrn)" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "St Mael And St Sulien's Church, Cwm (310516)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ IE. "Rhyl St John's Church" . www.clwydfhs.org.uk . Retrieved 2017-07-28 .
^ "The Benefice of Valle Crucis Mission Area, Comprising Bryneglwys, Corwen, Glyndyfrdwy, Gwyddelwern, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llandegla, Llangollen and Trevor, Llantysilio, Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog, Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, and Portfadog" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "St Mary's Mission Church, Eglwyseg (12529)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St James's Church, Glan-yr-afon (43877)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Bride's Church, Glyn Ceiriog (165271)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Beuno's Church, Gwyddelwern (43857)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "English – Coflein" . coflein.gov.uk . Retrieved 2024-09-10 .
^ "The Benefice of Wrexham (St Giles's Parish Church) (St Mark) (St Mary) (All Saints) (St Margaret) (St James) (St John)" . www.crockford.org.uk . Retrieved 2018-09-11 .
^ "Smithfield School Church, Caia Park, Wrexham (420478)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St Mark's Church, Wrexham (420474)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "St John The Baptist's Church, Kings Mills Road, Wrexham (12545)" . Coflein . RCAHMW. Retrieved 2021-10-01 .
^ "Historic community church announces closure after nearly 150 years in Wrexham" . The Leader . 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-09-10 .
Sources and references [ edit ]
Dioceses Hierarchy Governance Legislation Symbols Other
53°15′26″N 3°26′31″W / 53.2572°N 3.4419°W / 53.2572; -3.4419