Denbigh Mission Area Application Pack Trefnant, Tremeirchion, Cefn & Sinan Group of Churches November 2019 The Diocese of St Asaph In the Diocese of St Asaph or Teulu Asaph, we’re • Growing and encouraging the whole people of God • Enlivening and enriching worship • Engaging the world We’re a family of more than 7,000 regular worshippers, with 80 full time clergy, over 500 lay leaders, 216 churches and 51 church schools. We trace our history to the days of our namesake, St Asaph and his mentor, St Kentigern who it’s believed built a monastery in St Asaph in AD 560. Many of the churches across the Diocese were founded by the earliest saints in Wales who witnessed to Christian faith in Wales and have flourished through centuries of war, upheaval, reformation and reorganisation. Today, the Diocese of St Asaph carries forward that same Mission to share God’s love to all in 21th Century north east and mid Wales. We’re honoured to be a Christian presence in every community, to walk with people on the journey of life and to offer prayers to mark together the milestones of life. Unlocking our Potential is the focus of our response to share God’s love with people across north east and mid Wales. Unlocking our Potential is about bringing change, while remaining faithful to the life-giving message of Jesus. It’s about challenging, inspiring and equipping the whole people of God to grow in their faith. Geographically, the Diocese follows the English/Welsh border in the east, whilst the western edge is delineated by the Conwy Valley. The northern boundary runs along the North Wales coast as far as Llandudno, but only takes in part of that town. The southern boundary runs from the lower end of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) across to Dolfor, just south of Newtown in Powys. Ecclesiastically it is bordered by the dioceses of Chester, Lichfield and Hereford on the northern and eastern sides. To the south we border Swansea and Brecon diocese and to the west, Bangor. Large parts of the diocese are rural, but there are important and continually developing industrial and commercial areas around Deeside (one of the largest industrial parks in Europe) and Wrexham and significant developments along the two main arterial roads (A55 and A483). The coastal strip is home to traditional holiday resorts and tourism is an important industry in many parts of the diocese. Denbigh Mission Area: Application Pack, November 2019 2 St Asaph offers: • A welcome to all • Life enhancing opportunities for all • A commitment to nurture God’s gifts to everyone • A Christian education through our 51 Church Schools • A celebration and conservation of our very special places • A prayerful heart at the centre of every community • A commitment to walk alongside those in need Trefnant, Tremeirchion, Cefn & Sinan Group of Churches Trefnant, Tremeirchion, Cefn Meiriadog and Sinan have been a group of churches for over twenty years. The congregations work well together and co-operate extensively across the group and with Denbigh Mission Area to which they belong. They are situated in the beautiful Vale of Clwyd, in the midst of tranquil scenery, good walking country the Clwydian range of hills is an AONB), with easy access to the Cathedral and Diocesan Offices in St Asaph (2.5 miles away) and the medieval market town of Denbigh (3.5 miles to the south). The coast at Rhyl is eight miles away and the main A55 east west route across North Wales runs just past to the north giving access to Llandudno, Bangor and other points to the west and Chester to the east. The Rectory is situated in Trefnant, in the centre of the group, and is a modern 1980’s bungalow, set in attractive grounds with views across to the hills. One room functions as an office/study. Denbigh Mission Area Working and growing together in confidence, joy and compassion + St Stephen, Bodfari + St Michael, Caerwys + St Marcella, Denbigh, St Mary, the Virgin, Denbigh + St Sadwrn, Henllan + Ss Nefydd and Mary, Llannefydd + St Cwyfan, Llangwyfan + St Tyrnog, Llandyrnog + St Dyfnog, Llanrhaeadr yng Nghimeirch + St James Nantglyn + All Saints, Sinan + St Mary, CefnMeiriadog + Holy Trinity, Trefnant + Corpus Christi, Tremeirchion + Denbigh Mission Area: Application Pack, November 2019 3 Denbigh Mission Area comprises fourteen churches in and around Denbigh. The Mission Area was commissioned by Bishop Gregory in February 2017 and promulged on 1 January 2018. The MA has discerned a vision of “working together; of growing in faith; of joyfulness in worship and of compassionate reaching out to those around”. The clergy and people of the churches have enjoyed a well-established history of working together and this has continued even as personnel have changed. The clergy chapter meets weekly in school term time for mutual support and the Mission Area Conference meets regularly to discern a strategy for the mission of the church in their various communities. The Shared Ministry Team of the MA comprises three full-time stipendiary clergy, one house- for-duty priest and one NSM. In addition to the clergy there are four Readers, and over twenty worship leaders. Several active retired clergy offer generous assistance and support. A youth and children’s worker is shared with the neighbouring Dyffryn Clwyd MA to the south. The Diocese currently pay for the part-time assistance of a Treasurer for the MA. Holy Trinity, Trefnant Built in 1853-5 and listed as a Grade II* building, Holy Trinity Trefnant was designed by George Gilbert Scott. It was financed by the Mainwaring family in memory of Colonel and Mrs Salusbury of Galltfaenan Hall. Trefnant Parish was then carved out of the ancient parish of Henllan. A lavish commission, the arcade columns and capitals were made of polished Mona marble and given a profusion of naturalistic foliate carving by the Denbigh mason Mr J Blinstone. This was undertaken under the direction of the architect who took the mason off to London for instruction and who later professed himself particularly pleased with the result. A substantial vestry was added by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1907 under the patronage of Colonel Charles Salusbury Mainwaring, also of Galltfaenan Hall. A fold-away servery for hot drinks and a toilet were installed in 2017 in order to provide facilities for refreshments. Floor space was also cleared to accommodate small meetings and gatherings and provide space around the magnificent font. An active group within the congregation meets regularly to plan and deliver events – coffee mornings; talks and sales. Another group runs a monthly book club which meets in church. Ysgol Trefnant (Also designed by G G Scott) is a VA School with close links with the church next door. There is a termly family service as well as services for major festivals; an Easter eucharist in school; and a weekly collective worship input; the Rector sits on the governing Denbigh Mission Area: Application Pack, November 2019 4 body of the school and has organised and run a weekly after school club (“Saints & Sticky Tape”) in the Spring term. The village has a chapel, pub, post office, convenience store, two hairdressers, a fish and chip shop, excellent garage and, as a recent addition, a tattoo parlour. The community have worked together to refurbish and run a well-appointed Village Hall which hosts a café (open daily) and the hall is well used by many local groups – fitness and yoga classes, a football team, martial arts class and several others. An annual village show takes place in July. A bowls club is well established opposite the school and hosts matches on Tuesdays and occasional Sundays. There is also a local community council. Members of the church participate in several of these groups. The registered population in 2011 was 1,970 settled on split sites from the village centre and with Nant y Patrick estate to the north - a mix of retirement bungalows, council estate, farms and commuter homes. Between Trefnant and Denbigh - The Green, towards Denbigh, used to host a mission church (Sold and now a private house) and still has an independent Welsh chapel (With links to the Mimosa which sailed from Liverpool to Patagonia with Welsh settlers in 1865). The Annual Denbigh and Flint Agricultural Society Show takes place near here – on the third Thursday in August – the Mission Area have a Mission Tent at the Show to offer hospitality, run children’s activities and disseminate publicity. Eucharist by extension is taken out to local Nursing Homes – Park Lodge; Hafod y Green; Old Rectory – some residents attend church occasions Midweek eucharist service on Thursday at 11am. Sunday services are at 9.30am and alternate between sung eucharist on second and fourth Sundays with Family Service on the first Sunday and Morning Prayer on the third. Average Sunday attendance 2017 24 2018 25 Electoral Roll 30 Corpus Christi Tremeirchion An ancient Medieval church with unique dedication. The building is Grade II* listed. Amongst the many interesting architectural features are two medieval tombs – one of a priest (Dafydd Ddu Hiraddug portrayed in eucharistic vestments and a knight – perhaps Robert Pounderling of Rhuddlan); In the churchyard, underneath an ancient yew there is a medieval churchyard cross with a fascinating history culminating in its restoration - a generous ecumenical gesture on the part of St Beuno’s the Jesuit Spirituality Centre nearby who offered it back to the local church. St Beuno’s is an important neighbour and friend to Tremeirchion Church. People from all over the world come to study and retreat there. Many of them find their way to Corpus Christi, leave their name in the visitors’ book.