The Diocese of Monmouth is a diocese of the Church in Wales. Despite the name, its cathedral is located not in Monmouth but in Newport — Newport Cathedral (Welsh: Cadeirlan Casnewydd), commonly known as St Woolos Cathedral. Reasons for not choosing the title of Newport included the existence of a Catholic Bishop of Newport until 1916. This apparent anomaly arose in 1921 when the diocese was created (from the eastern part of the Diocese of Llandaff) with no location for the cathedral yet chosen. Various options were being considered, such as restoring Tintern Abbey, building from scratch on Ridgeway Hill in Newport, and (the eventual choice) upgrading St Woolos, then a parish church; in the meantime the new diocese, as it covers more or less the territory of the county of Monmouth, was named the "Diocese of Monmouth". Prior to 1921 the area had been the archdeaconry of Monmouth.
It is headed by Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth. She was elected the eleventh bishop in September 2019 and enthroned in Newport Cathedral on 1 February 2020.
In its own words, the diocese "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". It covers the entire historic county of Monmouthshire, plus the ancient parish of Llanedeyrn (which was in the historic county of Glamorgan), minus a few areas on the Wales-England border (Dixton, Llangua and Welsh Bicknor).
In local government terms, the territory of the diocese covers the unitary authority areas of: Monmouthshire Newport Torfaen Blaenau Gwent (part) Caerphilly (part) Cardiff (part) Herefordshire (part)
Archdeaconries and deaneries DioceseArchdeaconryDeaneryPaid clergyChurchesPopulationPeople/clergyPeople/churchChurches/clergyDiocese of MonmouthArchdeaconry of MonmouthDeanery of Abergavenny72421,3293,0478893.43Deanery of Monmouth41917,2894,3229104.75Deanery of Netherwent103145,2714,5271,4603.1Deanery of Raglan/Usk41810,5122,6285844.5Archdeaconry of NewportDeanery of Bassaleg620101,40716,9015,0703.33Deanery of Newport1121117,65410,6965,6031.91Archdeaconry of the Gwent ValleysDeanery of Bedwellty61897,46116,2445,4153Deanery of Pontypool623138,77423,1296,0343.83Total/average54174549,69710,1803,1593.22 At the Diocesan Conference, October 2017, the creation of a third archdeaconry — Gwent Valleys — from the two deaneries of Bedwellty and of Pontypool, was approved.Diocese of Monmouth — Third Archdeacon (Accessed 6 August 2018)
List of archdeacons
Archdeacons of Monmouth The archdeaconry of Monmouth was erected, from the Llandaff archdeaconry, in the Diocese of Llandaff on 6 February 1844. 26 February 1844 – 1885 (ret.): William Crawley 1885–1914 (res.): Conybeare Bruce 1914–1921 (res.): Charles Green From its creation in 1921, the archdeaconry has been in Monmouth diocese. 1922–1926 (d.): David Griffiths 1926–1930 (res.): David Roberts 1930–1940 (res.): Alfred Monahan 1940–1954: Samuel Davies 1955–1963: Joseph Ralph Jones 1963–1973: Ernest Evans 1973–1976: Cecil Percival Willis 1976–1977 (res.): Clifford Wright 1977–1986 (res.): Barrie Evans 1986–1993 (res.): Keith Tyte 1993–2001: Peter Woodman 2001–2008: Glyndwr Hackett 2008–2013 (res.): Richard Pain 24 November 201312 March 2021: Ambrose Mason 20 June 2021present: Ian Rees
Ian Kendall Rees (born 1966) was collated Archdeacon of Monmouth on 20 June 2021. He trained for the ministry at St Michael's College, Llandaff and served his title (curacy) at Barry; he was made deacon at Petertide 2000 (24 June) and ordained priest the following Petertide (30 June 2001) — both times by Barry Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff, at Llandaff Cathedral. He served as an associate priest in Cardiff until 2005, then priest-in-charge near Bridgend, before moving to the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon in 2010. Rees served in several incumbencies there along with diocesan roles and both honorary and residentiary canonries of the cathedral before his move to Monmouth as archdeacon and Director of Ministry and Discipleship.
Archdeacons of Newport The archdeaconry of Newport was created from the Monmouth archdeaconry in 1930. 1931–1935: the Dean of Monmouth provisionallyWestern Mail, 4 June 1935, p.5 1935–1948 (ret.): Vaughan Rees 1948–1953 (d.): Thomas Parry Pryce 1953–1964 (ret.): Charles Lewis (afterwards archdeacon emeritus) 1964–1973: Ivor Philips 1973–1976: Ernest Evans 1976–1977: (d) Cecil Percival Willis 1977–1986 (res.): Clifford Wright 1986–1993 (ret.): Barrie Evans 1993–1997 (ret.): Keith Tyte 1997–2008: Kenneth Sharpe 2008–2012: Glyndwr Hackett 9 September 2012–present: Jonathan Williams Newport archdeaconry was split in 2018 to create Gwent Valleys archdeaconry
Archdeacons of the Gwent Valleys The archdeaconry was erected from Newport archdeaconry in 2018. 7 July 201824 July 2021 (d.):Diocese of Monmouth — Tribute to Pinnington (Accessed 25 July 2021) Sue PinningtonDiocese of Monmouth — The diocese welcomes a new archdeacon (Archive accessed 3 April 2021) 19 June 2022present: Stella Bailey
Stella Bailey (born 1976) was collated Archdeacon of the Gwent Valleys on 19 June 2022. She first studied theology at Westhill College, Birmingham, then worked in factories before joining West Midlands Police. Bailey trained for the ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon and received orders in the Church of England: she was made deacon at Petertide 2009 (5 July) — by Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, at Coventry Cathedral — and ordained priest the following Petertide (3 July 2010) by John Stroyan, Bishop of Warwick, at Coventry Cathedral. Her title post (curacy) was at Walsgrave on Sowe, after which she served as Vicar of St Mary Magdalen, Coventry. Her last post before becoming archdeacon was at Kenilworth, where she also became Area Dean. In Monmouth diocese, Bailey serves as both Archdeacon and Director of Mission.
List of churches APC = ancient parish church; MC = medieval chapel.
Newport Cathedral This was formed from the parish of Newport St Woolos. Under the revised Cathedrals Scheme of the Constitution of the Church in Wales, it stands separate from the Ministry Area/parish structure and is managed by a charitable trust. As of November 2024 it was served by one Dean and two Residentiary Canons. ChurchFounded (building)Cathedral of St Woolos, Newportcirca AD 500
Archdeaconry of Monmouth
Abergavenny Town and Villages Ministry Area This was formed from the parishes of Abergavenny Holy Trinity, Abergavenny St Mary, Govilon, Llanelen, Llanfoist and Llanwenarth Citra. It has an estimated population of 14,479. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader. ChurchFounded (building)Holy Trinity, Abergavenny1840Christ Church, Abergavenny1879St Mary, Abergavennyc. 15371St Peter, LlanwenarthAPC (C19th)St Helen, LlanellenAPCSt Ffwyst, LlanfoistAPCChrist Church, Govilon1860Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt John, AbergavennyAPCc. 1543 1previously Abergavenny Priory; became the parish church at the Dissolution
Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area This was formed from the parishes of Llanddewi Fach and Llanhennock. It has an estimated population of 11,801. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Vicar. ChurchFounded (building)All Saints, Kemeys CommanderAPCSt Aeddan, Bettws NewyddAPCChrist Church, Coed-y-paen, Llangybi1848St Andrew, TredunnockAPCSt Bartholomew, LlanoverAPCSt Cadoc, RaglanAPCSt Cybi, LlangybiAPCSt David, TrostreyAPCSt Illtud, MamhiladAPCSt John the Apostle, LlandennyAPCSt John the Baptist, LlanhennockAPCSt Madoc, LlanbadocAPCSt Mary, UskAPCSt Matthew, MonkswoodMC (1883)St Michael, Glascoed1849St Peter, BryngwynAPCSt Peter, Nantyderry, GoytreAPC (1846)SS Peter, Paul & John, LlantrisantAPCSt Tegfeth, LlandegfethAPCSt Thomas à Becket, WolvesnewtonAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Michael, Llanvihangel GobionAPCc. 2019St John, Llangwm IsafMC (1851)2017St Michael & All Angels, GwernesneyAPCpre-2017St Jerome, LlangwmAPCSt Mary the Virgin, Llanfair KilgeddinAPC (1876)1982St David, LlangeviewAPC1999St Llywel, LlanllowellAPCSt David, Llanddewi Fach, LlandegfethAPC (1857)1990s
Monmouth or Monmouth Marches Ministry Area This was formed from the parishes of Cwmcarvan, Dingestow, Llandogo, Llanfihangel Tor-Y-Mynydd, Llanfihangel-Ystern-Llewern, Llangattock-Vibon-Avel, Llangovan, Llangunnog, Llanishen, Llansoy, Michel Troy, Monmouth, Overmonnow, Penallt, Penyclawdd, Rockfield, St Maughan's, Tintern Parva, Tregaer, Trellech, Trellech Grange, Whitebrook Chapel and Wonastow. It has an estimated population of 15,483. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Vicar. ChurchFounded (building)St Oudoceus, LlandogoAPC (1861)St Michael, Tintern ParvaAPC (1846)St Denis, LlanishenAPC (1854)St Tysoi, LlansoyAPCSt Michael, Llanfihangel-Tor-y-MynyddAPCTrellech Grange Parish ChurchMC (1861)St Michael, Mitchel TroyAPC (1876)St Mary the Virgin, MonmouthAPCSt Thomas the Martyr, OvermonnowMCSt Wonnow, WonastowAPCSt Cenedlon, RockfieldAPCSt Meugan, St MaughansAPCSt Dingat, DingestowAPCSt Martin, PenyclawddAPCSt Michael, Llanfihangel-ystern-LlewernAPCSt Mary, TregareAPCSt Cadoc, CwmcarvanAPCSt Nicholas, TrellechAPCOld St Mary's Church, PenalltAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Cadoc, Llangattock-Vibon-AvelAPC2019St Govan, LlangovanAPClate C20thSt Beuno, LlanfaenorMCSt Mary, TinternMC (1868)c. 1977Holy Trinity, Whitebrook18402004St John the Baptist, Catbrookc. 1910
Netherwent Ministry Area This was formed from the parishes of Caerwent, Caldicot Rectorial Benefice, Dinham, Llandevaud, Llanvaches, Llanvair Discoed, Magor Rectorial Benefice, Penhow and St Brides Netherwent. It has an estimated population of 31,844. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, one Vicar and two Associate Priests. ChurchFounded (building)St Mary the Virgin, CaldicotAPCSt Mary, Rogiet2APCSt Mary, PortskewettAPCSt Peter, LlandevaudMC (1843)St Dyfrig, LlanvachesAPCSt Bridget, St Brides NetherwentAPCSt John the Baptist, PenhowAPCSS Stephen & Tathan, CaerwentAPCSt Mary, Llanfair DiscoedAPCSt Mary Magdalene, GoldcliffAPCSt Thomas the Apostle, Redwick3MCSt Mary, MagorAPCSt Mary, NashAPCSt Mary, UndyAPCSt Mary, LlanwernAPCSt Mary, WilcrickAPCSt Martin, LlanmartinAPC (1858)Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedLangstone Parish Church1APC2023St Cadwaladr, Bishton1APC2023St Bartholomew, Highmoor, Caerwent?St Michael & All Angels, Llanfihangel RogietAPC1973St James, IftonAPCc. 1755 1monthly services continue in the village hall 2original dedication to St Hilary 3original dedication to St Michael
North Monmouthshire Ministry Area This was formed from the parishes of Bettws Chapel, Cwmyoy, Grosmont, Llanarth, Llanddewi Rhyderch, Llanddewi Skirrid, Llanfair Chapel, Llanfihangel Crucorney, Llangattock-Juxta-Usk, Llangattock Lingoed, Llansantffraed, Llanthony, Llantilio Crossenny, Llantilio Pertholey, Llanvapley, Llanvetherine, Oldcastle, Penrhos and Skenfrith. It has an estimated population of 8,429. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Vicar. ChurchFounded (building)St Nicholas, GrosmontAPCSt Cadoc, Llangattock LingoedAPCSt Mary, Llanfair Green1843St Bridget, SkenfrithAPCSt David, Llanddewi RhydderchAPCSt Cadoc, Llangattock-juxta-UskAPCSt Bridget, LlansantffraedAPCSt Michael, Llanfihangel CrucorneyAPCSt David, LlanthonyMCSt Martin, CwmyoyAPCSt Teilo, Llantilio CrossennyAPCSt Mable, LlanvapleyAPCSt James the Elder, LlanvetherineAPCSt Cadoc, PenrhosAPCSt David, Llanddewi SkirridAPCSt Teilo, Llantilio PertholeyAPCBettws Chapel, Llantilio PertholeyMCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt John the Baptist, OldcastleAPC (C19th)St Teilo, Llanarth FawrAPC2013
Severn Wye Ministry Area