St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith

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
Church of St Bridget
"an important medieval church"
Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith is located in Monmouthshire
Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith
Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith
Location in Monmouthshire
51°52′44″N 2°47′30″W / 51.8790°N 2.7916°W / 51.8790; -2.7916
OS grid referenceSO456203
LocationSkenfrith, Monmouthshire
CountryWales
DenominationChurch in Wales
WebsiteOfficial website
History
Statusparish church
Foundedc.13th century
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade I
Designated19 November 1953
Architectural typeChurch
StyleEarly English
Administration
DioceseMonmouth
ArchdeaconryMonmouth
DeaneryAbergavenny
ParishSkenfrith
Clergy
Vicar(s)Vacant
Priest(s)The Reverend G E Burrett

History

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The 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

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The 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

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  1. ^ a b "St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith (221985)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Newman 2000, p. 531.
  3. ^ "Brigit in Wales: Sant Ffraid". Brigitsforge.co.uk. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  4. ^ "St Bridget's, Skenfrith". Church in Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Cadw. "Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith (Grade I) (2082)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  6. ^ Jenkins 2008, pp. 190–2.

References

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