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.
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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 +
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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. Even Archbishops have attended the midweek eucharist. An Ignatian Prego meeting takes place fortnightly on Sundays – several local Anglicans attend. The Denbigh MA clergy chapter meet here regularly to retreat, walk the
Denbigh Mission Area: Application Pack, November 2019 5 labyrinth, and pray in the beautiful chapels. Here Gerard Manley Hopkins was formed for the priesthood and for poetry. His most inspired work took place in the three short years he enjoyed here.
Every Good Friday for the last 55 years has seen a performance of the Bach St Matthew Passion in Tremeirchion Church. A choir and orchestra assembles and people travel from far and wide to listen.
The village is short of amenities but is home to an active, welcoming and caring community. Ysgol Tremeirchion is VC and educates in Welsh medium and has close links to the church next door. Pupils have regular services in the church and the Vicar sits on the Board of Governors. Members of the church participate in Open the Book sessions in school.
The Salusbury Arms has re-opened and is currently being run by the proprietors of the Dovecote microbrewery in Denbigh. Both the pub and the school provide play facilities for the village community. The Old School is run by trustees from the church as a small community facility, hosting a Cylch Meithrin (Playgroup) during term time and a village market monthly on Saturdays.
Tremeichion 2000 is a village community group who initiate and organise several annual events – including a Scarecrow festival and treasure hunt in August; A Living Advent Calendar; a Yarn Installation for Remembrance Sunday 2018. “Y Graig” – a rocky outcrop - is a local nature reserve run by a branch of the Wildlife Trust and a church member is the warden. Near the Graig are some ancient caves which have shown evidence of prehistoric occupation. And an ancient well (Ffynnon Beuno). Church members organise and distribute a monthly village newsletter and are active in supporting Denbigh Food Bank, supporting local work with homeless and refugees and other charities including a charity in Nepal in aid of The Brick Children School in Kathmandu, organising fund raising events and visits to the school.
The 2011 population was 1,649 (703 in village). The village is on the route of the North Wales Pilgrims Way and there is a tourist stamp and an ipad providing information inside the church. A couple of church members host and run an Alpha course in the village which proved successful at the beginning of 2019 and a second is planned to begin in October 2019.
The village chapel closed a couple of years ago.
Sunday Services are at 11.15am and alternate between sung eucharist on the first and third Sundays; Family Service (Led by Worship Leader) on the second Sunday; and on the fourth Sunday a Welsh eucharist or Boreol Weddi. A midweek eucharist is held on Wednesdays at 10am.
Average Sunday attendance 2017 18 2018 17
Electoral Roll 32
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All Saints, Sinan
A small Victorian church initially built as a school set in the hamlet of Groesffordd Marli a couple of miles from St Asaph. The small congregation are very active and ensure that the building is well maintained. Several years ago pews were removed and replaced with chairs making a flexible space for worship, meals and meetings. There is a kitchen and toilet. Cefn Meiriadog School, across the road visit regularly and a group from church and chapel go in to deliver sessions of Open the Book once a term.
The church hosts monthly MU meetings; Sunday afternoon teas and celebrates the patronal festival of All Saints with an evening Taize service. Though the church is not licensed for weddings nor can it accommodate funerals, they have a recent history of providing innovative and imaginative worship – lego church; breakfast café church and the MU Advent Carol and every Maundy Thursday an Agape service are some recent examples.
Church members raise money for two charitable projects: St Kentigern’s Hospice and Kanzi Kibera which supports schools in impoverished suburbs of Kenya’s capital city Nairobi.
Sinan has worked closely with neighbours Cefn for many years and together they organise an annual church fete which is their main fund-raising event of the year. Members also regularly organise study groups – during Lent and at other times – part of the Pilgrim course (Church of England) and a study of the psalms are recent examples.
Sunday services are at 9.45am; First and Third Sundays – sung eucharist; second and fourth Sundays Morning Prayer or Family Service (Led by worship leader or Reader) Third Sundays are held jointly with St Mary’s – during the summer at Cefn (11.15am) and during the winter at Sinan.
Average Sunday attendance 2017 7 2018 9
Electoral Roll 9 St Mary Cefn Meiriadog
Neighbouring Sinan and set in beautiful countryside with magnificent views across the Vale to the Clwydian Hills is St Mary’s Cefn Meiriadog (Grade II). This Victorian church built by Watkin Williams Wynn family in 1864 to the design of the architect Benjamin Ferrey. The interior boasts an extraordinary font and a marble reredos in its apsidal east end. A new heating system was installed in 2017.
The church is in an isolated spot but has good links with the Neuadd Owen – Village hall nearby. Managed by Trustees which include church members, the hall is well used by the local community for functions, exercise classes, meetings and a
Denbigh Mission Area: Application Pack, November 2019 7 monthly pop-up pub (Run by church and community volunteers) The surrounding field is the site of annual church fete (Joint with Sinan) in the summer.
The parish had a population 389 in 2011
On the nearby Cefn estate are some ancient caves – not generally open to the public but the church has organised several events over the years including guided walks to the caves and to the ancient holy well (on private ground) Ffynnon Fair. Every Palm Sunday the grouped churches gather here for a Procession and a Eucharist which includes a dramatic reading of the Passion Narrative. The church is also on route of N Wales Pilgrims Way and a pilgrims’ passport stamp is housed in the church porch.
Sunday Services are at 11.15am – First and Third Sunday Morning Prayer, second and Fourth Sundays eucharist.
Average Sunday attendance 2017 13 2018 11
Electoral Roll 19 Bodfari and Caerwys
A NSM associate Priest and an active retired cleric are caring for the needs of these two churches and their communities, but the appointee will have oversight of these two significant church communities. This can be reviewed when the full leadership team is established. St Stephen's Church, Bodfari
There has been a church in Bodfari since before 1086. The late Perpendicular limestone tower is possibly 15th Century.
The body of the church was extensively rebuilt in 1865.
As a church we are praying for growth both spiritual and in terms of numbers and are committed to encouraging the whole people of God. On a recent Back to Church Sunday there was a significant increase in the congregation. We are hoping to build a closer link with the local primary school. A monthly coffee morning enables us to remain in contact with a number of people who are happy to support the church but not yet regular worshippers.
Sunday Worship 9.30am Morning Prayer alternating with Holy Communion.
Average attendance - 11 St Michael’s Church, Caerwys
St Michael’s Church, Caerwys serves a rural community of just over 1,300. It has an electoral roll of 44, and regular Sunday congregations of between 30 and 40. There are weekly Sunday morning services, a lay-led weekday service, and a House Group meeting led by Revd Sue
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Moriarty, a retired priest who is a member of the congregation. There is an active branch of the Mothers’ Union based at the church. The church cooperates with the Welsh Presbyterian Capel Bethel, Caerwys.
Currently, church services are led by Revd Vera Lewis, Assistant Priest, NSM, Revd Sue Moriarty, retired Priest, Mrs Sylvia Harris, Reader and Mrs Elizabeth Lord, Worship Leader. Ven Andy Grimwood, Archdeacon leads services when duties elsewhere permit.
The activities of the church are outlined on its website: www.stmichaels-caerwys.org.uk
Caerwys is one of the smallest towns in Wales. Its economy is moving from being heavily agricultural to involvement in tourism and leisure, particularly through local residential caravan parks. A substantial number of residents commute.
Caerwys is well-served commercially by two shops, a pharmacy, a pub, a gastro-pub. It is a town with a tradition of strong community involvement. It has its own monthly magazine, the Caerwys Chronicle, and numerous societies including a thriving historical society, Age Cymru, and WI. There are two choirs - Cor Merched Caerwys and Cor Meibion Caerwys.
The church aims to serve its community by providing regular, engaging, inclusive worship, by being a Foodbank collection point, by hosting weekly rehearsals of Cor Meibion Caerwys, Cor Merched Caerwys, Caerwys, and the Vale of Clwyd Singers, Historical Society Lectures, Christmas and Summer Fairs, and frequent concerts. The congregation includes wheelchair users. The church is open every day of the year and is a member of the Flintshire Sacred Doorways Tourist Trail.
The church holds several combined services with St Stephen’s Church, Bodfari each year and enjoys a close relationship with Ysgol yr Esgob, Caerwys, the church primary school which holds regular services in the church, and participates in joint events such as the Easter experience.
The church houses copies of Parish records going back to 1673. Many visitors come to the church to consult the records and to view the church. The stone tower dates from 1290. The church has an array of interpretation boards and leaflets in place. The church is rarely empty. People come in frequently to pray, reflect or simply to enjoy the peace. The churchyard is meticulously kept.
Since 2015 the church has spent £16,000 grant aid from the Listed Places of Worship Urgent Repairs Fund to undertake roofing repairs, and over £180,000 from various grant-funding bodies, including Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake a complete re-ordering of the church. It now has a toilet, kitchen, an effective radiator-based heating system and a flexible seating layout in its two naves. The Church raised £16,000 in 2014 to fund a new digital organ to replace the defunct pipe organ. The re-ordering project was completed thanks to some outstandingly generous personal donations from members of the congregation.
There is an enthusiastic team of Wardens and Officers. Members of the congregation contribute to services by serving as readers, servers, intercessors and sidespersons. This year the church has accommodated a hot-pot supper and quiz for 80, a silver band concert, a Christmas Fair, a Cream Tea Fair, and a wine and cheese party.
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Members of the Congregation participate in the Christian Aid collections along with friends from Capel Bethel, and the church has a planned programme of Charitable Giving. Occasional Offices in the Group of Churches:
Funerals: 2017 – 22 2018 - 14
Weddings: 2017 - 4 2018 - 3
Baptisms: 2017 - 8 2018 - 9 Style of Worship
The 2014 rite of the Church in Wales is the usual Sunday service, with some Welsh language content and the potential for more. Each church has its own set of Eucharistic vestments. On alternate Sundays either a version of Morning Prayer or a Family service – based on the Church in Wales liturgy is used. An organist accompanies Sunday services in Trefnant and Tremeirchion. Sinan and Cefn usually use recorded hymns, occasionally having an organist for special services. Finances
All churches pay their fair share allocation in full and re-imburse clergy expenses in full. In recent years Trefnant has had to dip into reserves to do this. The MA as a whole pays its fair share allocation to the diocese in full and has benefitted from the 4%re-imbursement offered for doing so. Church Buildings
The four church buildings are in a good state of repair. Tremeirchion will need to replace its roof in the next ten years or so. All have functioning heating systems, Cefn’s is new.
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