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 Location in Monmouthshire | |
| 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
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
- "St Bridget's Church, Skenfrith (221985)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- 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.
- Cadw. "Church of St Bridget, Skenfrith (Grade I) (2082)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
- 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.