St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith

Church in Monmouthshire, Wales
51°52′44″N 2°47′30″W / 51.8790°N 2.7916°W / 51.8790; -2.7916OS grid referenceSO456203LocationSkenfrith, MonmouthshireCountryWalesDenominationChurch in WalesWebsiteOfficial websiteHistoryStatusparish churchFoundedc.13th centuryArchitectureFunctional statusActiveHeritage designationGrade IDesignated19 November 1953Architectural typeChurchStyleEarly EnglishAdministrationDioceseMonmouthArchdeaconryMonmouthDeaneryAbergavennyParishSkenfrithClergyVicar(s)VacantPriest(s)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).[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

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

  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

  • 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.