St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith Explained

Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith
Fullname:Church of St Bridget
Pushpin Map:Wales Monmouthshire
Pushpin Mapsize:200
Map Caption:Location in Monmouthshire
Location:Skenfrith, Monmouthshire
Country:Wales
Coordinates:51.879°N -2.7916°W
Osgraw:SO456203
Denomination:Church in Wales
Founded Date:c.13th century
Status:parish church
Functional Status:Active
Heritage Designation:Grade I
Designated Date:19 November 1953
Architectural Type:Church
Style:Early English
Parish:Skenfrith
Deanery:Abergavenny
Archdeaconry:Monmouth
Diocese:Monmouth
Vicar:Vacant
Priest:The Reverend G E Burrett

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.

History

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.[1]

Services are held at the church every Sunday at 9.15.[2]

Architecture and description

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.

The church is a Grade I listed building, its listing describing St Bridget's as "an important medieval church with an exceptionally good interior".

References

. Simon Jenkins. Wales: Churches, Houses, Castles. 2008. Penguin. London. 978-0-713-99893-1.

. John Newman (architectural historian). The Buildings of Wales. Gwent/Monmouthshire. 2000. Penguin. 0-14-071053-1.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brigit in Wales: Sant Ffraid . Brigitsforge.co.uk . 16 October 2010 . 7 June 2015.
  2. Web site: St Bridget's, Skenfrith. Church in Wales. 19 April 2022.