St Mary's Priory Abergavenny: The Priory Centre

ADMINISTRATION: St Mary's Parish Church, St Mary's Priory, Abergavenny

The Parish

St Mary's Priory serves as a parish church for the town and community of Abergavenny, and encompasses a significant part of the rural Coldbrook estate, stretching from the ancient Llanellen Bridge to the south, to the top of the Sugar Loaf mountain.  It is part of an Incumbancy wihich also includes St Peter's, Llanwenarth and Holy Trinity Abergavenny, which itself is part of the Greater Abergavenny Ministry Area.

There is a daughter church, Christchurch, in North Street, serving the western parts of the parish.  This was built in the latter half of the 18th Century with the generosity of the Nevill Family, the Marquesses of Abergavenny, who once lived at Nevill Hall, now the district hospital.

Christchurch was built as an iron church, and was then wood-clad. It has a belfry and spire and has been carefully restored in recent years.

St Mary's Priory, Abergavenny is one of several ancient Benedictine foundations in the Diocese.

At the foundation of the new diocese, some thought was given to St Mary's Priory becoming the Cathedral Church, with the attraction of a fine Priory house (demolished c.1952), adjoining land and facilities.


When can I visit the church?

Holy Week Opening Hours and Easter Services in Priory Church

Monday 25th March:  0900 until 1400

Tuesday 26th March:  0900 until 1400

Wednesday 27th March:  0900 until 1400 for visitors:  Eucharist Mass at 1000 and Tenebrae service at 1900

Thursday 28th March: 0900 until 1500 for visitors:  Sung Eucharist of the Last Supper and Watch till midnight at St Mary’s Priory.

Good Friday 29th March: 1400 An Hour at the Cross:  1900 Devotional Concert by St Mary's Priory Choir including Pergolasi Stabat Mater

Holy Saturday 30th March:  Open for church cleaning: 1900 Easter Paschal Vigil Ministry Area service

Easter Day 31st March: 0800 Sung Eucharist with the Priory trebles:  1100 Sung Priory Eucharist.

The church is currently open for visitors who wish to see the fine monuments or sit in quiet contemplation Monday to Friday from 10.00am until 2.00pm and Saturday from 10.00am until 3.00pm. 

There is no charge, although St Mary’s does cost £1,000 per day to run so any voluntary contribution would be very gratefully received.

You can also bring a group to visit St Mary’s, please e-mail us on enquiries@stmarys-priory.org


The Church in Wales

In 1919, the Church of England was disestablished in Wales, partly to assert national identity. It was replaced the following year by the Church in Wales, which is both independent of the state and an independent member of the Anglican Communion.

The Church in Wales is split into six dioceses – Llandaff, St David’s, Bangor, St Asaph, Swansea and Brecon, and Monmouth.

More info


The Diocese of Monmouth

The Diocese of Monmouth covers the south east corner of Wales, from Monmouth south to Chepstow, westwards along the M4 corridor to Newport and the outskirts of Cardiff, northwards into the south eastern valleys and east into the rural areas around Usk, Raglan, Abergavenny, and the Herefordshire border – what was, in fact, the ancient county of Monmouth.

It is made up of two geographical archdeaconeries – Monmouth and Newport - and a number of Ministry Areas, including Abergavenny. 
More info


Newport Cathedral

The Cathedral church of the Diocese of Monmouth is in Newport, the main centre of population for the area. It is one of the most ancient buildings in Wales, with a history stretching back into early Celtic history. Its fine Galilee Chapel and stunning Romanesque Nave lead on to a 20th century choir and sanctuary. This is a fine rose window and dorsal painting by John Piper.

The Cathedral, previously known as St Woolos Cathedral but now as Newport Cathedral, is governed by the Dean and Chapter of Canons, made up of parochial clergy from within the diocese. 

More info

 

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