Diocese of St Asaph

The Diocese of Saint Asaph is a diocese of the Church in Wales in north-east Wales, named after Saint Asaph, its second bishop.

Diocese of Saint Asaph Esgobaeth Llanelwy
Location
Ecclesiastical province	Wales
Archdeaconries	St Asaph, Montgomery, Wrexham
Information
Cathedral	St Asaph Cathedral
Current leadership
Bishop	Gregory Cameron
Dean	Nigel Williams
Map
Map of the dioceses in the Church in Wales
Website
www.dioceseofstasaph.org.uk

Geography

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.

History

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 Museum, 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 fouth rischest in Britain after Canterbury, London and Winchester.[1]

Lists of archdeacons

Archdeacons of St Asaph

Further information: Archdeacon of St Asaph

Archdeacons of Montgomery

Main article: Archdeaconry of Montgomery

The archdeaconry was created from that of St Asaph on 6 February 1844.[2]

Archdeacons of Wrexham

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.

• 1890–1897 (res.): David Howell
• 1897–1910 (res.): Llewelyn Wynne Jones
• 1910–1925 (res.): William Fletcher
• 1925–1930 (d.): Lewis Pryce
• 1930–1947 (ret.): James Williams
• 1948–1957 (res.): Richard Mackenzie Williams
• 1957-1969 (res): Benjamin Jones-Perrott
• 1969–1978 (ret.): John Davies
• 1978–1987 (d.): Raymond Foster
• 1987–2001 (ret.): Bryan Williams
• 2001–2010 (res.): Malcolm Squires
• 2010–2013 (ret.): Shirley Griffiths
• 2014–2018: Bob Griffiths
• 2018-present: John Lomas[4]

Archdeaconries and deaneries

Diocese	Archdeaconry	Deanery	Paid clergy	Churches	Population	People/clergy	People/church	Churches/clergy
Diocese of St Asaph	Archdeaconry of Montgomery	Deanery of Cedewain	2	10	17,716	8,858	1,772	5
		Deanery of Mathrafal	6	23	12,707	2,118	552	3.83
		Deanery of Pool	4	16	16,010	4,003	1,001	4
	Archdeaconry of St Asaph	Deanery of Denbigh	3	14	18,794	6,265	1,342	4.67
		Deanery of Dyffryn Clwyd	4	13	11,894	2,974	915	3.25
		Deanery of Holywell	5	14	35,404	7,081	2,529	2.8
		Deanery of Llanrwst and Rhos	10	28	74,181	7,418	2,649	2.8
		Deanery of St Asaph	7	16	69,730	9,961	4,358	2.29
	Archdeaconry of Wrexham	Deanery of Alyn	6	12	44,250	7,375	3,688	2
		Deanery of Dee Valley	6	18	38,741	6,457	2,152	3
		Deanery of Hawarden	10	19	80,416	8,042	4,232	1.9
		Deanery of Mold	3	12	24,178	8,059	2,015	4
		Deanery of Penllyn and Edeirnion	4	18	18,864	4,716	1,048	4.5
		Deanery of Wrexham	5	8	48,615	9,723	6,077	1.6
Total/average			75	221	511,500	6,820	2,314	2.95

List of churches

The diocese has expended a great deal of effort in recent years to reorganise its system of 14 deaneries and parishes with 21 Mission Areas[5], each containing between six and nineteen churches and being ministered to by two to ten stipendiary clergy.

Alyn Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Alyn Mission Area, Comprising Broughton with Berse, Brymbo, Bwlchgwyn, Gresford, Gwersyllt, Holt, Isycoed, Llay, Minera with Coedpoeth, Rossett, and Southsea[6]	All Saints, Gresford		Medieval	6	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, Llay		1925
	St Mary, Minera		C17th (1866)
	Christ Church, Rossett		C17th (1892)

Closed churches in the area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Peter, Brynteg[7]	Brynteg	1894	2006
St Paul, Berse Drelincourt[8]	New Broughton	1742	pre-2010
St John, Brymbo[9]	Brymbo	1837 (1891)	1974
St Alban, Tanyfron[10]	Tanyfron	1896	2010
St Peter, Rhosrobin[11]	Rhosrobin	1881 (1898)

Cedewain Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Cedewain Mission Area, Comprising Aberhafesp, Betws Cedewain, Dolfor, Kerry, Llanllwchaiarn and Newtown, Llanmerewig, Llanwyddelan, Mochdre, and Tregynon[12]	St Gwynog, Aberhafesp		Medieval	2	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 Paul, Dolfor		?
	St Llwchaiarn, Llanmerewig		Medieval (1845)
	All Saints, Mochdre		Medieval (1867)
	St Cynon, Tregynon		Medieval

Closed churches in this area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Mary, Newtown[13]	Newtown	Medieval	1856
St David, Newtown[13]	Newtown	1843	2006

Dee Valley Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Maelor Mission Area, Comprising Bangor Monachorum, Bettisfield, Bronington, Erbistock, Hanmer and Tallarn Green, Marchwiel, Overton, Penley, and Worthenbury[14]	St Dunawd, Bangor-on-Dee		Medieval	3	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, Comprising Chirk, Penycae, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon, and Rhosymedre[15]	St John the Evangelist, Rhosymedre		1837	3	Cefn, Chirk, Llangollen Rural (Froncysyllte area), Penycae, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon	29,876
	St Mary, Chirk		11th Century[16]
	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

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
Halton Mission Church[17]	Chirk	1878	pre-1998
St John the Evangelist, Rhosllanerchrugog[18]	Rhosllanerchrugog	1853	2005
St Mary Magdalene, Tallarn Green	Tallarn Green	1851 (1873)	2007

Denbigh Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Denbigh Mission Area, Comprising Bodfari, Bylchau, Caerwys, Cefn, Henllan, Llandyrnog, Llangwyfan, Llannefydd, Llanrhaeadr-Yng-Nghinmeirch, Nantglyn, Sinan, Trefnant, and Tremeirchion[19]	St Stephen, Bodfari		Medieval (1865)	3	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

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Thomas, Bylchau[20]	Bylchau	1857	c. 2019
Leicester's Church, Denbigh	Denbigh	1578-1584
St Hilary, Denbigh	Denbigh	Medieval	1874
St David, Denbigh[21]	Denbigh	1838 (1895)	C20th
St James, Prion[22]	Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch	1859	2008

Dyffryn Clwyd Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
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[23]	St Foddhyd, Clocaenog		Medieval	4	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)
	St Elidan, Llanelidan		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

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Mary, Derwen	Derwen	Medieval	1999
St David, Eryrys	Eryrys	1862	1980s
Rhewl Church[24]	Rhewl

Hawarden Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Borderlands Mission Area, Comprising Bistre, Broughton, Buckley, Connah's Quay, Hawarden, Hope, Llanfynydd, Pentrobin, Sandycroft, Sealand, and Shotton[25]	St Cecilia, Mynydd Isa		1892	10	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

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Michael & All Angels, Mancot Royal[26]	Mancot
Holy Innocents, Queensferry[27]	Queensferry	1887 (1889)	1960

Holywell Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Estuary and Mountain Mission Area, Comprising Bagillt, Brynford, Caerfallwch, Flint, Gorsedd, Halkyn, Holywell, Mostyn, Rhesycae, Whitford, and Ysgeifiog[28]	St Peter, Holywell		??? (2008)	5	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

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St David, Flint[29]	Flint	1872	2011

Llanrwst and Rhos Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Aberconwy Mission Area, Comprising Bryn Pydew, Craigydon, Deganwy, Eglwysbach, Glan Conwy, Llanddoget, Llandudno Junction, Llangystenin, Llanrhos, Llanrwst, and Penrhyn Bay[30]	All Saints, Deganwy		1899	5	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 Doged, Llandoged		Medieval
	St Catherine, Bryn Pydew		early C20th (1961)
	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, Comprising Abergele, Betws-Yn-Rhos with Trofarth, Brynymaen, Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, Llanddulas, Llandrillo-Yn-Rhos, Llanelian, Llysfaen, Petryal, and St George[31]	St Michael, Abergele		Medieval	5	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

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[32]	Colwyn Bay	1908	2013
St Winifred, Gwytherin[33]	Gwytherin	Medieval (1867)
St John the Baptist, Pontygwyddel[34]	Llanfair Talhaiarn	1882	1982
St Mary, Llanrwst	Llanrwst	1841-1842	1980s
St Catherine, Old Colwyn	Old Colwyn	1837	2013
St David, Llangernyw[35]	Pandy Tudur	1866-1867

Mathrafal Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Caereinion Mission Area, Comprising Garthbeibio, Llanerfyl, Llanfair Caereinion, Llangadfan, Llangynyw, Llanllugan, Manafon, Meifod, Pont Dolanog, and Pont Robert[36]	St Tydecho, Garthbeibio		Medieval (1862)	2	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 Valley Mission Area, Comprising Hirnant, Llangadwaladr, Llangedwyn, Llangynog, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant with Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr, Llansilin, and Pennant[37]	St Cedwyn, Llangedwyn		Medieval	2	Llangedwyn, Llangynog, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Llansilin, Pen-y-bont-fawr	3,074
	St Melangell, Pennant Melangell		Medieval
	St Dogfan, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant		Medieval
	St Silin, Llansilin		Medieval
	St Cadwaladr, Llangadwaladr		Medieval
	St Thomas, Penybontfawr		1855
Vyrnwy Mission Area, Comprising Bwlchycibau, Llanfechain, Llanfihangel-Yng-Nghwynfa, Llanfyllin with Llanwddyn, Llansantffraid-Yn-Mechain, and Llwydiarth[38]	St Garmon, Llanfechain		Medieval	2	Llanfechain, Llanfihangel (Llanfihangel area), Llanfyllin, Llansantffraid, Llanwddyn, Meifod (Bwlchycibau area)	4,608
	St Michael, Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa		Medieval (1864)
	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

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Cynog, Llangynog[39]	Llangynog	Medieval (1792)	c. 2018
St Mary, Brithdir[40]	Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant	1892	c. 2018
Rhiwlas Mission Church	Llansilin		c. 2018
St Garmon, Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr[41]	Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr	Medieval
St Illog, Hirnant[42]	Pen-y-bont-fawr	Medieval (1886)
St John the Baptist, Llanwddyn[43]	Llanwddyn	Medieval?	1880s

Mold Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Mold (St Mary) Mission Area, Comprising Cilcain, Gwernaffield, Llanferres, Mold, Nannerch, Nercwys, Northop, Pontblyddyn, Rhyd-Y-Mwyn, and Treuddyn[44]	St James, New Brighton		1893	3	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, Northop Hall		c. 1890 (1912)
	St Mary, Treuddyn		Medieval (1875)
	St Berres, Llanferres		Medieval

Closed churches in the area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St John the Evangelist, Mold[45]	Mold	1879

Penllyn and Edeirnion Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Penedeyrn Mission Area, Comprising Bala, Betws Gwerful Goch, Cerrigydrudion, Llandderfel, Llandrillo-Yn-Edeirnion, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Llangar, Llangwm, Llawrybetws, and Ysbyty Ifan with Pentrefoelas[46]	Christ Church, Bala		1811 (1857)	2	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		Medieval
	St Trillo, Llandrillo-yn-Edeyrn		Medieval (1776)
	St Michael, Llanfihangel Glen Myfyr		Medieval
	St John the Evangelist, Cynwyd		1856
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[47]	St Collen, Llangollen		Medieval	2	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		Medieval
	St Ffraid, Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy		Medieval (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;

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Mary, Betws Gwerful Goch	Betws Gwerfil Goch	Medieval
St Mary, Eglwyseg[48]	Eglwyseg	1870	1985
St Mark, Frongoch[49]	Frongoch	1858
St James, Glan-yr-afon[50]	Glan-yr-afon	1864
St Ffraid, Glyn Ceiriog[51]	Glyn Ceiriog	Medieval (1790)
St Beuno, Gwyddelwern[52]	Gwyddelwern	Medieval
SS Mor & Deiniol, Llanfor[53]	Llanfor	Medieval	1992
All Saints, Llangar	Llangar	Medieval	1856
St Jerome, Llangwm	Llangwm	Medieval (1747)
St Cywair, Llangywer[54]	Llangywer	Medieval (1871)	c. 2000
St Deiniol, Llanuwchllyn[55]	Llanuwchllyn	Medieval	2004
St Beuno, Llanycil[56]	Llanycil	Medieval	c. 2000
Pentrefoelas Parish Church[57]	Pentrefoelas	C18th (1859)
Holy Trinity, Rhosygwaliau[58]	Rhos-y-gwaliau	1880
St John, Ysbyty Ifan[59]	Ysbyty Ifan	Medieval (1861)	2016

Pool Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Pool Mission Area, Comprising Berriew, Buttington, Castle Caereinion, Criggion, Forden, Guilsfield, Llandrinio, Llandysilio, Llandyssil, Montgomery, Penrhos, Pool Quay, and Welshpool[60]	St Aelhaiarn, Guilsfield		Medieval	4	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
	Belan Mission Church		1840

Closed churches in this area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
Christ Church, Welshpool	Welshpool	1839	1998
Trewern Mission Church[61]	Trewern	C19th

St Asaph Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Aber-Morfa Mission Area, Comprising Bodelwyddan, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Rhyl St Ann, and Towyn[62]	St Margaret, Bodelwyddan		1860	4	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 , Comprising Cwm, Dyserth, Ffynnongroyw, Gwaenysgor, Llanasa, Meliden, Prestatyn, and Trelawnyd[63]	SS Bridget & Cwyfan, Lower Dyserth		Medieval	1	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 (Cathedral of St Asaph and St Cyndeyrn)[64]	Cathedral of SS Asaph & Cyndeyrn, St Asaph		Ancient (Medieval)	2	St Asaph, Waen	3,596
	SS Asaph & Cyndeyrn, St Asaph		Medieval (1872)

Closed churches in this area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
SS Mael & Sulien, Cwm[65]	Cwm	Medieval (c. 1500)
St John, Rhyl[66]	Rhyl	1885	1997

Wrexham Deanery

Benefice	Church	Link	Founded (building)	Clergy	Communities served	Population served
Wrexham (St Giles's Parish Church) (St Mark) (St Mary) (All Saints) (St Margaret) (St James) (St John)[67]	St Mary, Bersham		1873	5	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 James, Rhosddu		1875
	St Margaret, Garden Village		1928

Closed churches in the area

Church	Location	Founded (building)	Closed
St Peter, Wrexham[68]	Wrexham Caia Park	1910	C20th
St Mark, Wrexham[69]	Wrexham Offa	1858	1956
St John the Baptist, Wrexham[70]	Wrexham Offa	1909	1998
St David, Wrexham	Wrexham Rhosddu	1890

References

1. The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge Vol.III, (1847), London, Charles Knight, p.362
2. "No. 20314". The London Gazette. 6 February 1844. pp. 403–405.
3. "No. 26036". The London Gazette. 25 March 1890. pp. 1793–1794.
4. Leader Live
5. "Mission Area Map - The Diocese of St. Asaph". The Diocese of St. Asaph. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
6. "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.
7. "CHURCH OF ST PETER, BRYNTEG, WREXHAM | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
8. 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.
9. "ST JOHN'S CHURCH, BRYMBO | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
10. IE. "Tanyfron Church". www.clwydfhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
11. "ST PETER'S CHURCH, MAIN ROAD, RHOSROBIN | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
12. "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.
13. "Home". www.newtownparishes.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
14. "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.
15. "The Benefice of Offa Mission Area, Comprising Chirk, Penycae, Rhosllanerchrugog, Ruabon, and Rhosymedre". www.crockford.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
16. www.stmaryschirk.org.uk http://www.stmaryschirk.org.uk/a-brief-history/. Retrieved 2019-11-27. Missing or empty |title= (help)
17. "Check out this property for sale on Rightmove!". Rightmove.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
18. "St. Johns Parish Church, Rhos - Wrexham History". Wrexham History. 2017-05-04. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
19. "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.
20. "Bylchau, Denbigh Detached house - £60,000". OnTheMarket. Retrieved 2019-10-17.
21. IE. "Denbigh St David's Church". www.clwydfhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
22. "ST JAMES'S CHURCH, PRION | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
23. "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.
24. "missionarea.info". www.missionarea.info. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
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.
26. "ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS' CHURCH, MANCOT ROYAL | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
27. "HOLY INNOCENTS CHURCH | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
28. "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.
29. "ST DAVID'S CHURCH, OAKENHOLT | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
30. "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.
31. "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.
32. "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.
33. "ST WINIFRED'S CHURCH, GWYTHERIN | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
34. "ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, PONTYGWYDDEL | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
35. "ST DAVID'S CHURCH, LLANGERNYW | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
36. "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.
37. "The Benefice of Tanat Valley Mission Area, Comprising Hirnant, Llangadwaladr, Llangedwyn, Llangynog, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant with Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr, Llansilin, and Pennant". www.crockford.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
38. "The Benefice of Vyrnwy Mission Area, Comprising Bwlchycibau, Llanfechain, Llanfihangel-Yng-Nghwynfa, Llanfyllin with Llanwddyn, Llansantffraid-Yn-Mechain, and Llwydiarth". www.crockford.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
39. "ST CYNOG'S CHURCH, LLANGYNOG | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
40. "ST MARY'S CHURCH, BRITHDIR | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
41. "ST GARMON'S CHURCH, LLANARMON MYNYDD MAWR | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
42. "ST. ILLOG'S CHURCH: HIRNANT PARISH CHURCH, HIRNANT | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
43. "ST WDDYN'S CHURCH, LLANWDDYN | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
44. "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.
45. "ST. JOHN'S WELSH CHURCH | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
46. "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.
47. "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.
48. "ST MARY MISSION CHURCH, EGLWYSEG | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
49. "ST MARK'S CHURCH, FRONGOCH | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
50. "ST JAMES'S CHURCH, GLAN-YR-AFON | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
51. "ST BRIDE'S CHURCH;ST BRIDGET'S CHURCH;ST FFRAID'S CHURCH, GLYN CEIRIOG | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
52. "ST BEUNO'S CHURCH, GWYDDELWERN | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
53. "ST DEINIOL'S CHURCH;ST MOR'S CHURCH;ST MOR AND ST DEINIOL'S CHURCH, LLANFOR | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
54. "ST CYWAIR'S;ST GWYR'S CHURCH, LLANGOWER | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
55. GENUKI. "Genuki: Llanuwchllyn, Merionethshire". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
56. "ST BEUNO'S CHURCH, LLANYCIL | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
57. "Check out this commercial property on Rightmove!". Rightmove.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
58. "ST CYWAIR'S;ST GWYR'S CHURCH, LLANGOWER | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
59. "St. John's Church, Ysbyty Ifan". Guto Bebb. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
60. "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.
61. "MISSION CHURCH, TREWERN | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
62. "The Benefice of Aber-Morfa Mission Area, Comprising Bodelwyddan, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Rhyl St Ann, and Towyn". www.crockford.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
63. "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.
64. "The Benefice of St Asaph (Cathedral of St Asaph and St Cyndeyrn)". www.crockford.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-09-11.
65. "ST MAEL AND ST SULIEN'S CHURCH, CWM | Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
66. IE. "Rhyl St John's Church". www.clwydfhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
67. "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.
68. "ST PETER'S CHURCH IN WALES, WREXHAM | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
69. "ST MARK'S CHURCH, WREXHAM | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.
70. "ST JOHN THE BAPTIST'S CHURCH, KINGS MILLS ROAD, WREXHAM | Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-07-28.

See also

• Bishop of Saint Asaph
• Archdeacon of St Asaph

Sources and references

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Ancient Diocese of Saint Asaph". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
• http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13332c.htm