The Diocese of St Davids is a diocese of the Church in Wales, a church of the Anglican Communion. The diocese covers the historic extent of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, together with a small part of western Glamorgan. The episcopal see is the Cathedral Church of St David in the City of St Davids, Pembrokeshire. The present cathedral, which was begun in 1181, stands on the site of a monastery founded in the 6th century by Saint David.
The diocese is divided into the three archdeaconries of St Davids, Carmarthen and Cardigan (additionally, Mones Farah serves as Archdeacon Missioner). The bishop's residence is Llys Esgob in Abergwili, Carmarthenshire.
History
The history of the diocese of St Davids is traditionally traced to that saint (Dewi) in the latter half of the 6th century. Records of the history of the diocese before Norman times are very fragmentary, however, consisting of a few chance references in old chronicles, such as Annales Cambriae and Brut y Tywysogion (Rolls Series).
Originally corresponding with the boundaries of Dyfed (Demetia), St Davids eventually comprised all the country south of the River Dyfi and west of the English border, with the exception of the greater part of Glamorganshire, in all some . Until 1852 the diocese also included some parishes in Herefordshire.
The diocese assumed its current extent in 1923, when the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon was created from the eastern part of the diocese.
The office of Bishop of St Davids has existed since the founding of the cathedral. The See was led in 2016-2023 by Joanna Penberthy, who was the first woman ordained a bishop in the Church in Wales. On 17 October 2023, Dorrien Davies, Archdeacon of Carmarthen, was elected to become the next Bishop; the confirmation of his election (by which he legally became Bishop) was on 29 November and his episcopal consecration took place on 27 January 2024 at Bangor Cathedral.
In 2019 the diocese began to reorganise its churches into 23 Ministry Areas, plus the Cathedral. This process was completed in 2021 and the ministry areas are now coterminous with the deaneries.
Archdeaconries and deaneries
ArchdeaconryDeanery/mission areaChurchesPopulationPeople/churchCardiganAberystwyth514,5812,916Bro Aeron Mydr125,379448Bro Padarn1417,0031,215Bro Teifi1816,698928Bro Wyre84,403550Dyffryn Teifi1713,695806Glyn Aeron108,181818Lampeter2214,120642CarmarthenBro Aman1128,4642,588Bro Caerfyrddin1120,7551,887Bro Cydweli1011,2621,126Bro Dinefwr114,863442Bro Dyfri189,119507Bro Gwendraeth1435,6412,546Bro Lliedi650,2588,376Bro Sancler118,400764St DavidsDaugleddau1320,3191,563East Landsker148,513608Greater Dewisland135,527425Narberth and Tenby1921,9781,157Roose2227,8961,268South West Pembrokeshire1422,3851,599The Cathedral11,8411,841West Cemaes1711,616683Total/average317387,5501,223 On 12 August 2018, Mones Farah was collated as an extra archdeacon without a territorial archdeaconry: the Archdeacon for New Church Communities; on 1 March 2024, he was re-licensed with the new title "Archdeacon Missioner".
Mones Anton Farah (born 1964) is a Palestinian-born Anglican priest. He trained for the ministry at Trinity College, Bristol before receiving ordination in the Church in Wales: he was deaconed on 26 June 1988 and priested on 25 June 1989. Farah served his title as assistant curate at Aberystwyth before becoming Chaplain to the University of Wales, Lampeter in 1991. He moved to England in 1998 to become a Team Vicar in Great Baddow, returning to Aberystwyth in 2014 as priest-in-charge. Alongside his current role as archdeacon, he is also a Canon of St Davids Cathedral.
List of churches
Archdeaconry of Cardigan
Aberystwyth Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberystwyth Holy Trinity, Aberystwyth St Anne, Aberystwyth St Mary, Aberystwyth St Michael and Llanychaearn. It is named after Aberystwyth. It has an estimated population of 12,795. As of September 2024 it was served by three Priests in Charge and one Assistant Curate. ChurchFounded (building)St Michael & All Angels, AberystwythC15th (1787) (1832) (1890)Holy Trinity, Aberystwyth1886St Anne, Penparcau1910St Mary, Aberystwyth1866St Hychan, LlanychaearnAPC (1878)
Bro Aeron Mydr Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Capel Cynon, Cilcennin, Ciliau Aeron, Cribyn, Dihewyd, Gwenlli, Llanarth St David, Llanarth St Teilo, Llanerch Aeron, Llanfihangel Ystrad, Mydroilyn, Talgarreg and Trefilan. It is named after the River Aeron and its tributary the Afon Mydr. It has an estimated population of 5,321. As of September 2024 it was served by one Priest in Charge. ChurchFounded (building)St Cynon, Capel CynonMC (1820)St David, LlanarthAPCSt David, Talgarreg1899St Mark, Gwenlli1897St Non, Llanerch AeronAPC (1798)St Vitalis, DihewydAPC (1828)Holy Trinity, Mydroilyn1890 (1991)St Michael, Ciliau AeronAPC (C18th)St Michael, Llanfihangel YstradAPC (1878)St Silin, Cribyn1894St Hilary, Trefilan2APC (1882)Holy Trinity, Cilcennin1APC/MC (early C19th)Former churchesFounded (build)ClosedSt Cynllo, NantcwnlleAPC (C19th?) 1original dedication to St Cannen 2original dedication to St Mary
Bro Padarn Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Borth, Capel Bangor, Comins Coch, Eglwysfach, Eglwys Newydd, Elerch, Llanafan-Y-Trawscoed, Llanbadarn Fawr, Llandre, Llanfihangel-Y-Creuddyn, Llangynfelyn, Llantrisant, Penrhyncoch, Pontarfynach, Ponterwyd, Ysbyty Cynfyn and Ysbyty Ystwyth. It is named after St Padarn, to whom the church of Llanbadarn Fawr is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 15,503. As of September 2024 it was served by two Priests in Charge, one Associate Priest/Focal Minister and one Active Retired Non-Stipendiary Minister. ChurchFounded (building)St Matthew, Borth1879St Michael, Eglwysfachc. 1623 (1833)St Michael, Hafod, Eglwys Newydd1620 (1803)St Afan, LlanafanAPC (1860)St Michael, Llanfihangel y CreuddynAPCSt John the Baptist, Ysbyty CynfynMC (1827)SS David, Teilo & Padarn, LlantrisantMC (C19th)St Padarn, Llanbadarn FawrAPCSt David, Capel Bangor1839St Peter, Elerch1868St John the Divine, Penrhyncoch1882St Michael, Llanfihangel-Genau'r-GlynAPC (1885)All Saints, Llangorwen1841Former churchesFounded (build)ClosedSt Cynfelyn, LlangynfelynAPCSt Matthew, Goginan1871pre-2011St Iago, Pontarfynach1896pre-2012St David, Talybont19092017(Old) St John the Baptist, Ysbyty YstwythAPC (c. 1825)c. 2020(New) St John the Baptist, Ysbyty Ystwyth18762007
Bro Teifi Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aber-Porth, Blaenporth, Bridell, Capel Colman, Cardigan, Castellan, Cilgerran, Eglwyswrw, Llandygwydd, Llanfair Nant-Gwyn, Llanfihangel Penbedw, Llangoedmor, Llechryd, Maenordeifi, Monington, Mwnt, Nevern, Penrhydd, St Dogmael's and Y Ferwig. It is named after the River Teifi. It has an estimated population of 16,468. As of September 2024 it was served by two Priests in Charge and two Associate Priests. Church Founded (building)St Cynwyl, AberporthAPC (1857)St David, BlaenporthAPC (1859)St John, Betws IfanAPC (1870)St Cristiolus, EglwyswrwAPC (1829)St David, BridellAPC (1887)St Llawddog, CilgerranAPC (1855)St Mary, Llanfair Nant-GwynAPC (1855)St Tygwydd, Llandygwydd2APC (1857)St Tydfil, Llechryd1878St Colman, Capel ColmanMC (1837)St David, Carreg-wen, Manordeifi1898St Mary, CardiganAPCSt Cynllo, LlangoedmorAPC (1832)Holy Cross, Y MwntMCSt Pedrog, Y FerwigAPC (1854)St Nicholas, MoningtonAPC (1860)St Thomas the Martyr, St Dogmaels3APC (1847)St Brynach, NevernAPCFormer churchesFounded (build)ClosedSt Andrew, BayvilAPC (early C19th)pre-1983Holy Cross, LlechrydAPCc. 1994St Michael, TremainAPC (1848)2008Old St David's, Manordeifi1APC1899St Dogfael, MelineAPC (1865)2017SS Mynno, David & Andrew, Moylegrove4APC (1866)C21stSt Michael, WhitechurchAPC (1873)1999St Michael, Llanfihangel PenbedwAPClate C20thSt Illtyd, LlantoodAPC (1883)Capel Tygwydd Mission Church1890C20thSt Mary, CilgwynMCC20th/21st
1original dedication to St Llawddog 2church demolished 2000, services continue in a converted schoolroom. 3original dedication to St Dogmael, then St Mary 4original dedication to St Andrew
Bro Wyre Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llanddeiniol, Llanfihangel Lledrod, Llangwyryfon, Llanilar, Llanrhystud, Llansantffraed, Llanwnnws, Nebo and Rhostie. It is named after the Afon Wyre. It has an estimated population of 5,125. As of September 2024 it was served by one Priest in Charge. ChurchFounded (building)St Deiniol, LlanddeiniolAPC (1835)St Rhystyd, LlanrhystydAPC (1854)St David, Neboc. 1913St Bridget, LlansantffraedAPCSt Gwnnws, LlanwnnwsAPCSt Michael, Llanfihangel LledrodAPC (1827)St Ursula, LlangwyryfonAPC (1880)St Hilary, LlanilarAPCFormer churchesFounded (build)ClosedSt Michael, Llanfihangel RhostieAPC (1882)
Dyffryn Teifi Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bangor Teifi, Capel Dewi, Capel Mair, Cenarth, Felindre, Llandyfriog, Llandysul, Llanfihangel-ar-Arth, Llangeler, Llangynllo, Newcastle Emlyn, Pen-Boyr, Pencader, Pontsian, Rhos, Tregroes and Troedyraur. It is named after the valley of the River Teifi. It has an estimated population of 13,728. As of September 2024 it was served by three Priests in Charge. ChurchFounded (building)St David, Bangor Teifi APC (1932)St Ffraid, Llanfraed, TregroesMC (1858)St John, Pontsian1885St Tysul, LlandysulAPCSt Cynllo, LlangynlloAPC (1870)St Mary, PencaderMC (1881)St Michael, Llanfihangel-ar-ArthAPCSt David, Capel DewiMC (1835)St Mary, Bancyffordd1899St Celer, LlangelerAPC (1858)St James, Rhos1903St Barnabas, Felindre1862St Llawddog, PenboyrAPC (1809)St Tyfriog, LlandyfriogAPC (1888)Holy Trinity, Newcastle Emlyn1842St Michael, Troedyraur, BrongestAPC (1851)St Llawddog, CenarthAPC (1872)Former churchesFounded (build)ClosedSt David, HenllanAPC (c. 1849)St Mary, Llanfair OrllwynAPC (c. 1820)St Mary, Llanfair TreflygenAPCc. 1800St Mary, BrongwynAPCSt Teilo, CilrhedynAPC (C19th)C20thSt Silfed/Sylvester, Llandyssulfed, PontsianMCC18th
Glyn Aeron Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberaeron, Cross Inn, Henfynyw, Llanbadarn Trefeglwys, Llanddewi Aberarth, Llandysiliogogo, Llangrannog, Llanina, Newquay and Penbryn. It is named after the valley of the River Aeron. It has an estimated population of 7,734. As of September 2024 it was served by two Priests in Charge, one Associate Priest and one Curate. ChurchFounded (building)St Padarn, Llanbadarn TrefeglwysAPC (1650)Holy Trinity, Aberaeron1835 (1872)St David, HenfynywAPC (1866)St David, Llanddewi AberarthAPC (1862)St Tysilio, LlandysiliogogoAPC (1825)St Carannog, LlangrannogAPC (1884)St Michael, PenbrynAPCSt Llwchaiarn, Llanllwchaiarn, NewquayAPC (1865)Holy Trinity, Cross Inn1871St Ina, LlaninaMC (c. 1810)Former churchesFounded (build)ClosedSt David, Blaencelyn18942002St John, Sarnau1889pre-1984
Lampeter Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Betws Bledrws, Betws Leucu, Blaenpennal, Cellan, Cwmann, Gartheli, Lampeter, Llanbadarn Odwyn, Llanddewi Brefi, Llanfair Clydogau, Llangeitho, Llangybi, Llanllwni, Llanwenog, Llanwnnen, Llanybydder, Llanycrwys, Maestir, Pencarreg, Pontrhydfendigaid, Silian, Strata Florida, Tregaron and Ystrad Meurig. It is named after Lampeter, the principal town. It has an estimated population of 13,668. As of September 2024 it was served by three Priests in Charge and two Associate Priests.