The Diocese of Bangor is a diocese of the Church in Wales in North West Wales. The diocese covers Anglesey, most of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire and the western part of Montgomeryshire.
History
The diocese in the Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd was founded around 546 by Saint Deiniol. As with the rest of Wales, it initially resisted the papal mission of St Augustine of Canterbury in Britain. In 1534, the church in England and Wales broke allegiance with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England.
The Report of the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to inquire into the Ecclesiastical Revenues of England and Wales (1835) found the see had an annual net income of £4,464.The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge Vol.III, (1847) London, Charles Knight, p.362 This made it the second wealthiest diocese in Wales, after St Asaph.
After a brief restoration with the Holy See during the reign of Queen Mary I, the diocese remained part of the Anglican Province of Canterbury until the early 20th century. Following the Welsh Church Act 1914, the Welsh dioceses formed the independent Church in Wales within the Anglican Communion on 31 March 1920.
Bishops of Bangor
The Bishop of Bangor is the ordinary of the Diocese of Bangor. The incumbent is Manon Ceridwen James, who was consecrated the 82nd Bishop of Bangor in 2026. She is the first female to hold the position.
Archdeaconries and deaneries DioceseArchdeaconryDeaneryChurchesFormer churchesPopulationPeople/churchDiocese of BangorArchdeaconry of BangorSynod Bangor403294,6852,367Archdeaconry of AngleseySynod Ynys Mon584369,7511,203Archdeaconry of MeirionnyddSynod Meirionnydd644768,8741,076Total/average162122233,3101,440 Before the recent reorganisation the deaneries were:
under the Archdeacon of Bangor: Archlechwedd, Arfon, Llifon-Talybolion, Malltraeth, Ogwen, Tyndaethwy and Twrcelyn. under the Archdeacon of Meirionydd: Ardudwy, Arwystli, Cyfeiliog-Mawddwy, Llyn-Eifionydd and Ystumaner.
List of churches The diocese is divided into 27 ministry areas and 162 churches. There are three deaneries where previously there were twelve. In 2018 the deaneries of Synod De Meirionnydd and Synod Gogledd Meirionnydd were merged into a single Synod Meirionnydd. There are 122 former churches within the area covered by the diocese, roughly 38 of which have closed since 2000.
APC = ancient parish church. MC = medieval chapelry.
Synod Bangor / Archdeaconry of Bangor
Bro Beuno Sant Uwch Gwyrfai Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Clynnog Fawr, Llanaelhaearn, Llandwrog, Llanllyfni Christ Church, Llanllyfni St John, Llanllyfni St Rhedyw and Llanwnda. It is named after St Beuno, to whom a church in the area is dedicated, and the medieval commote of Uwch Gwyrfai. It has an estimated population of 11,436. As of October 2026 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Nia Williams).https://www.bsug.cymru/en/home Church Founded (building)St Beuno, Clynnog FawrAPCSt Aelhaearn, LlanaelhaearnAPCSt Twrog, LlandwrogAPC (1860)Christ Church, Penygroes1pre-1890 (1890)St Rhedyw, LlanllyfniAPCSt Gwyndaf, LlanwndaAPC (1847)Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt John, Talysarnlate C19thc. 2019St Thomas, Groeslon1853St George, Trefor1881Rhostryfan Chapel of Easepre-1895? 1as of October 2026 regular worship was not being held in this church.
Bro Celynnin Ministry Area This was formed in 2016 by the union of the parishes of Caerhun-with-Llangelynnin, Conwy, Gyffin and Upper Llanbedr. It is named after St Celynnin, to whom a church in the area is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 7,235. As of October 2026 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Kevin Ellis) and one Pioneer Priest (Eryl Parry). Church Founded (building)St Mary, CaerhunAPCSt Celynnin, Llangelynnin1APCSt Mary & All Saints, Conwy2APCSt Benedict, GyffinAPCSt Peter, Llanbedr-y-CenninAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Celynnin's New Church, Llangelynnin18401980sSt Agnes, Conwy1875c. 1972 1used for one service a month from April to October 2original dedication to St Mary
Bro Deiniol Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bangor Cathedral, Bangor Holy Cross, Bangor St David, Bangor St Mary and Bangor St Peter. It is named after St Deiniol, the first Bishop of Bangor. It has an estimated population of 18,519. As of October 2026 it was served by one Acting Dean (Tracy Jones) and one Associate Vicar (Andy Broadbent). Church Founded (building)Cathedral of St Deiniol, BangorAPCHoly Cross, Maesgeirchen1958St Peter, Penrhosgarnedd1pre-1895 (1956)Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt David, Bangor18882014St Mary, Bangor1864-662014St James, Bangor1866pre-1996 1as of May 2025, this church had not reopened since closing in the pandemic of 2020.https://dioceseofbangor.contentfiles.net/media/documents/document/2025/05/Dean_of_St_DeiniolsBangor_Profile_Final.pdf
Bro Dwylan Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Dwygyfylchi St David, Dwygyfylchi St Gwynin, Dwygyfylchi St Seiriol, Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr. It is named after ?. It has an estimated population of 8,108. As of October 2026 it was served by one Assistant Curate (Karen Morris). Church Founded (building)St David, Penmaenmawr1893St Gwynan, DwygyfylchiAPC (1889)St Mary & Christ Church, Llanfairfechan11864Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Seiriol, Penmaenmawr18672015St Bodfan, AbergwyngregynAPC (1878)St Mary, LlanfairfechanAPC (1849)1999 1dedication was Christ Church until 1999.
Bro Eryri Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llanberis St Padarn, Llanberis St Peter, Llanddeiniolen, Llandinorwig, Llanrug and Penisarwaun. It is named after , the Welsh name for Snowdonia. It has an estimated population of 10,297. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Naomi Starkey). Church Founded (building)St Padarn, Llanberis1884St Peris, Old Llanberis, Nant PerisAPCSt Deiniolen, LlanddeiniolenAPC (1843)Christ Church, Llandinorwig, Deiniolen1857St Helen, Penisa'r Waun1883Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Mary, DinorwigC19th1997St Michael, LlanrugAPC20191St Gabriel, Cwm-y-gloC19thpre-2014Bethel Chapel of EaseC19th? 1as of October 2026 a monthly "cafe church" service was held in the village hall.
Bro Gwydyr Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Betws-y-Coed, Dolgarrog, Dolwyddelan, Llanrhychwyn, Penmachno and Trefriw. It is named after Gwydyr Forest. It has an estimated population of 3,107. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader. Church Founded (building)St Mary, Betws-y-Coed1873St Mary, Dolgarrog1913 (1976)St Gwyddelan, DolwyddelanAPC (c. 1500)St Rhychwyn, LlanrhychwynAPCSt Tyddyd/Tydclud, PenmachnoAPC (1857)St Mary, TrefriwAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Michael, Betws-y-CoedAPC2000St Curig, Capel Curig18831992St Julitta, Capel Curig1MC1970sSt John the Baptist, Pont Cyfyng1875pre-1953St Enclydwyn, Cwm Penmachno19211981St Elizabeth, Dolwyddelan1886? 1dedicated to St Curig until 1883
Bro Ogwen Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Coetmor, Glanogwen, Llandygai St Ann, Llandygai St Tegai, Llanllechid, Pentir, Tal-y-bont and Tregarth. It is named after the Afon Ogwen. It has an estimated population of 9,251. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Community Chaplain. Church Founded (building)Christ Church Glanogwen, Bethesda1856SS Anne & Mary, Tan-y-bwlch11813 (c. 2000)St Tegai, LlandygaiAPCSt Cedol, PentirMC?/C18th (1848)Holy Cross, Tal-y-bont1892St Mary, Tregarth1869Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedCoetmor Chapel, Bethesda21911c. 2020St Llechid, LlanllechidAPC (1844)2002St Elizabeth, Glasinfryn1871 1original dedication to St Anne 2may be still open
Bro Peblig Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bettws Garmon, Caernarfon, Llanbeblig, Llanfair-is-Gaer Griffith's Crossing and Llanfair-is-Gaer St Mary. It is named after St Peblig, to whom is dedicated the original parish church of Caernarfon. It has an estimated population of 15,717. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader. Church Founded (building)St Garmon, Betws GarmonAPC (1842)St Mary, CaernarfonMCSt Peblig, Llanbeblig, CaernarfonAPCSt Mary, Llanfair-is-GaerAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedChrist Church, Caernarfon18641982St David, Caernarfon18731985St Baglan's Old Church, LlanfaglanAPCpre-1991St Baglan's New Church, Llanfaglan1871?St John the Evangelist, Waunfawr1880pre-2001St Mary, Y Felinheli18652015
Bro Tudno Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llandudno Holy Trinity and Llandudno St Tudno. It is named after St Tudno, to whom is dedicated the original parish church of Llandudno. It has an estimated population of 7,247. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader. Church Founded (building)Holy Trinity, Llandudno1874St Tudno, LlandudnoAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt George, Llandudno1840-18412002
Synod Meirionnydd / Archdeaconry of Meirionnydd Bro Ardudwy Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bontddu, Caerdeon, Dyffryn, Harlech, Llanaber St David, Llanaber St John, Llanaber St Mary, Llanbedr, Llandanwg, Llanddwywe, Llandecwyn, Llanenddwyn, Llanfair-Juxta-Harlech and Llanfihangel-Y-Traethau. It is named after the historical area of Ardudwy. It has an estimated population of 6,925. As of September 2025 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Ben Griffith). Church Founded (building)St Tanwg, Harlech1841St John the Evangelist, Barmouth1889-95SS Mary & Bodfan, Llanaber1APC (medieval)St Peter, LlanbedrMC to Llandanwg (medieval)St Tanwg, LlandanwgAPC (medieval)St Dwywe, Llanddwywe(-is-y-graig)APC (medieval)St Tecwyn, LlandecwynAPC (1879)St Mary, LlanfairAPC (medieval)St Michael, Llanfihangel-y-traethauAPC (1871)Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Bartholomew's Mission Church, Bontddupre-1895early 1970sSt Philip, Caerdeon18622014Christ Church, Talsarnau18712014St David, Barmouth1830c. 2018St Enddwyn, LlanenddwynAPC (medieval)2017 1original dedication to St Bodfan
Bro Arwystli Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Carno, Llandinam, Llangurig, Llanidloes, Llanwnnog, Penstrowed and Trefeglwys. It is named after the historical area of Arwystli. It has an estimated population of 8,428. As of September 2025 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Alison Gwalchmai) and one Associate Vicar (Steve Leyland). Church Founded (building)St John the Baptist, CarnoAPC (1867)St Llonio, LlandinamAPC (1865)St Curig, LlangurigAPCSt Idloes, LlanidloesAPCSt Gwynog, LlanwnogAPCSt Gwrhai, PenstrowedAPC (1864)St Michael, TrefeglwysAPC (1865)Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Mary, Caersws18712010
Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Cemais, Corris, Darowen, Esgairgeiliog, Llanbrynmair, Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Mallwyd and Penegoes. It is named after the medieval commotes of Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy. It has an estimated population of 6,589. As of September 2025 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Miriam Beecroft) and one Associate Priest (Pete Ward). Church Founded (building)St Tydecho, CemmaesAPCHoly Trinity, Lower Corrisc. 1875St Tudur, DarowenAPC (1862)St Mary, LlanbrynmairAPCSt Gwrin, Llanwrin1APCSt Peter, MachynllethAPC (1827)St Tydecho, MallwydAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Cadfarch, PenegoesAPC (1884)St David, Dylife18561962St John, Llanbrynmair1867St Tydecho, LlanymawddwyAPCChrist Church, Machynlleth18811965Isygarreg Chapel of Ease, DerwenlasC19thUchygarreg Chapel of EaseC19th 1original dedication to SS Ust & Dyfrig
Bro Cymer Ministry Area