The Church of St Bridget (or St Bride) lies at the north end of the village of Skenfrith, Monmouthshire, Wales. It is an active parish church and a Grade I listed building. The church is dedicated to St Brigit (Welsh: Sant Ffraid), to whom 17 churches are dedicated across the country.
Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith | |
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Church of St Bridget | |
51°52′44″N 2°47′30″W / 51.8790°N 2.7916°W | |
OS grid reference | SO456203 |
Location | Skenfrith, Monmouthshire |
Country | Wales |
Denomination | Church in Wales |
Website | Official website |
History | |
Status | parish church |
Founded | c.13th century |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Grade I |
Designated | 19 November 1953 |
Architectural type | Church |
Style | Early English |
Administration | |
Diocese | Monmouth |
Archdeaconry | Monmouth |
Deanery | Abergavenny |
Parish | Skenfrith |
Clergy | |
Vicar(s) | Vacant |
Priest(s) | The Reverend G E Burrett |
History
editThe church is medieval in origin, with the earliest parts believed to date from the reign of King John (1166–1216).[1] It was extended in the fourteenth and again in the sixteenth century, sympathetically restored in 1896 and again in 1909–10.[2] The dedication is to St Bridget.[3]
Services are held at the church every Sunday at 9.15.[4]
Architecture and description
editThe church is constructed of Old Red Sandstone.[2] It comprises a two-aisled nave, chancel and a West tower.[5] The tower is topped by a dovecote belfry with a pyramidal roof.[1]
The interior contains the "very fine"[5] chest tomb of John Morgan, died 1557,[2] who was Member of Parliament for the Monmouth Boroughs, Steward of the Duchy of Lancaster and last Governor of the Three Castles, of Skenfrith, Grosmont and White Castle.[6] A lectern of 1909 by the Arts and Crafts designer, George Jack, incorporates a figure of St Bridget.[2]
The church is a Grade I listed building, its listing describing St Bridget's as "an important medieval church with an exceptionally good interior".[5]
Notes
edit- ^ a b "St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith (221985)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d Newman 2000, p. 531.
- ^ "Brigit in Wales: Sant Ffraid". Brigitsforge.co.uk. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ "St Bridget's, Skenfrith". Church in Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Cadw. "Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith (Grade I) (2082)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- ^ Jenkins 2008, pp. 190–2.
References
edit- Jenkins, Simon (2008). Wales: Churches, Houses, Castles. London: Penguin. ISBN 978-0-713-99893-1.
- Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.