The Abergavenny parish is part of the North Gwent Deanery within the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cardiff. Our Archbishop, the Most Reverend George Stack was appointed on 19th April 2011, by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
The church was built between 1858-60 under the architect Benjamin Bucknall, and is now a grade II listed building. The church is constructed in Decorated Gothic style with an accompanying Tudor Gothic presbytery.
The Parish is very much involved ecumenically in the Abergavenny and District Council of Churches. This extends to the services held in various churches in the town during Christian Unity week in January; during Lent with Christians from other churches attending Stations of the Cross in our church as well as other activities during the course of the year. Our primary school is adjacent to the church and pupils from the school regularly attend Mass in the church.
Near to the church is the Convent of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit who support the parish with their prayers, conducting Eucharistic services in the church, and visiting patients in the local hospital.
The Parish benefits from the ministry of Reverend Andreas Erhardt, a permanent deacon, who is married to Heidi. Each week we produce a newsletter with news items on the parish and other church events that might be of interest to parishioners. You can find our Newslettershere. We also host a range of groups and activities within our community, from Our Children's Liturgy to our CAFOD group,. Find out about Parish groupshere.
Our Parish History
The church is unusual in its long history in that it has been served by members of two religious orders: the Franciscans (1687-1857) and the Benedictines (1857 - Present). Monmouthshire, the county in which Abergavenny is situated, remained loyal to the Catholic Church thanks to Fathers Philip Evans and David Lewis, members of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), who celebrated Mass and administered the Sacraments to the Catholics of the town and countryside. Both priests celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Gunter Mansion in Cross Street and were martyred for their faith in 1679. More information about David Lewis can be seen below.
David Lewis Chapel
David Lewis was born in 1616 in Abergavenny, Wales. Born to Catholic mother and a Protestant father. David Lewis was the youngest of nine children. Ordained a Catholic priest in 1642, he served communities including Abergavenny and nearby areas for over 30 years. Following the criminalisation of Catholic practice in 1678 he was arrested along side a fellow Catholic priest, Phillip Evans, who were both later tried and sentenced to death for their beliefs and practices. On the 27nd August 1679, David Lewis was hanged drawn and quartered and became the last Catholic martyr in Wales. David Lewis is commemorated across communities in Wales for his contribution to multiple Parish communities including Abergavenny, and for his ultimate sacrifice for our Lord.