Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith | |
---|---|
Church of St Bridget | |
"an important medieval church"
|
|
Coordinates: 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 | |
Founded | c.13th century |
Architecture | |
Status | parish church |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Grade I |
Designated | 19 November 1953 |
Architectural type | Church |
Style | Early English |
Administration | |
Parish | Skenfrith |
Deanery | Abergavenny |
Archdeaconry | Monmouth |
Diocese | Monmouth |
Clergy | |
Vicar(s) | Vacanct |
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.
The church is medieval in origin, with the earliest parts believed to date from the reign of King John (1166–1216). It was extended in the fourteenth and again in the sixteenth century, sympathetically restored in 1896 and again in 1909–10. The dedication is to St Bridget.
Services are held at the church every Sunday at 9.15. As of August 2017[update] the church was without an incumbent priest-in-charge.
There is an active charity, the Friends of St. Bridget's, Skenfrith, which raises funds for the repair and maintenance of the church. The Friends financed 90% of the cost of the recent conservation and new display of the pre-Reformation cope. Patrons include the former Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Simon Boyle, Sara Fulgoni and Sir Roy Strong.
The church is constructed of Old Red Sandstone. It comprises a two-aisled nave, chancel and a West tower. The tower is topped by a dovecote belfry with a pyramidal roof.
The interior contains the "very fine" chest tomb of John Morgan, died 1557, 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. A lectern of 1909 by the Arts and Crafts designer, George Jack, incorporates a figure of St Bridget.