Church Heritage Cymru

Church Heritage Cymru 1835

  • Home
Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentAudit

Cathedral: Ss Asaph and Cyndeyrn, St Asaph

Name:

The name or dedication of the church.

Cathedral: Ss Asaph and Cyndeyrn, St Asaph
Record Type:

This identifies the church type. Most churches are parish churches which means they serve a specific parish or area. Other types such as chapel, daughter and mission are mostly historic designations as many are now also parish churches. Please note that former churches are no longer used for worhsip and may be in private ownership.

Cathedral
Church code:

A unique identification number given to every church.

1835
Diocese:

The name of the diocese in which the church is located.

St Asaph
Archdeaconry:

The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.

St Asaph
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Please enter a number

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

There are 3 levels of listing: Grade I, II* & II. The majority of buildings which are of special interest are Grade II. A much smaller number of particularly important buildings are listed as Grade II*. Buildings of exceptional interest (approx 2% of the total number of listed buildings) are Grade I.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance are protected by law. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service is responsible for compiling a schedule (list) of these ancient monuments, some of which can be found in churches and churchyards. Examples can include churchyard crosses and the archaeological remains of previous churches or buildings on the site.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

There are three National Parks in Wales: Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. These protect 20 percent of the land in Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages and heritage sites. 

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.

The church is in a Conservation Area

Please enter a number

Buildings At Risk Status

On Buildings At Risk Register?

The Buildings at Risk register is managed by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service) in order to identify the number and type of listed buildings at risk in Wales. 

This church is not on the Buildings at Risk Register
 **************

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

It is often extremely difficult to determine a precise date of construction for a church as many have been extensively altered over time. Church Heritage Cymru therefore shows a date range within which a church is believed to have been constructed. The dates are as follows: Early Medieval (pre 1066), Medieval (post 1066 to 1540), Post Medieval (1540 to 1837), Victorian/Pre WWI (1837 to 1914) and Modern (post 1914).

Medieval

Exterior Image

Work in progress - can you help?

Summary Description

This is a very brief summary of the church's main features. More  detailed nformation can be found in the other fields and pages (tabs) in this database.

The cathedral is one of the four ancient cathedrals of Wales and is a significant feature in the town being at the top of the hill. Reference The Encyclopaedia of Wales Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003

Visiting and Facilities

Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc. 

The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
 **************

Church Website

Church Website:

If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).

View information on worship and access at this church on the Church In Wales web site
RCAHMW (2004) Coflein http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/140540/details/ [Digital Archive/Document]
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/
CPAT (2016) Historic Environment Record http://www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?prn=CPAT102126 [Digital Archive/Document]
J Feak (2021) Photo of nave choir stalls 1 [Digital Archive/Document]
Photo of nave choir stalls 1
J Feak (2021) Photo of nave choir stalls 2 [Digital Archive/Document]
Photo of nave choir stalls 2
J Feak (2022 Jan) Photo of Kitchen in situ [Digital Archive/Document]
Photo of Kitchen in situ
J Feak (2022 Jan) Photo of kitchen in situ [Digital Archive/Document]
Photo of kitchen in situ
J Feak (March 2022) Garden in the sun! [Digital Archive/Document]
Garden in the sun!

This is the Ordnance Survey (OS) reference for the location of the church. Some locations will be approximate as this data is continuously being refined and updated.

Grid Reference: SJ 039 743

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Church address

Address
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Ss Asaph and Cyndeyrn High Street ST ASAPH LL17 0RD

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.

Sir Ddinbych - Denbighshire

Location and Setting

This describes how the church relates to its immediate and wider environment, sometimes called its setting. It describes how the church contributes to its landscape or townscape and how these things collectively contribute to the character of the area.

St Asaph is just south of the A55 North Wales Expressway 45km northwest of Chester and 34km east of Conwy.  The cathedral is at the top of the hill dominating views of the city from the west.

Reference
AA Route Planner 
OS Map 116
Cadw Listing Notice 1460

Church Plan

Work in progress - can you help?

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

This is a description of the ground plan of the church.

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.

A monastery, clas site and an episcopal see were established here c560 by St Kentigern (also known as St Mungo) after he left Glasgow.  On his return to Glasgow, he was succeeded by St Asaph. The see was re-established in 1143 by the Normans creating the four ‘Sees’ of Wales and the Norman cathedral was built with an Early English Choir being built in c1239. Damage caused by royal troops in 1245 and 1282 resulted in a building programme begun by Bishop Anian in 1284 and lasting until 1381. The major part of the work took place between 1310 and 1320 and has been attributed to Master Henry of Ellerton.  He was the Master of Works at Caernarfon castle in 1309 and Master and Surveyor of the King’s Works in the castles of North Wales.  It is the resemblance of the style of work in both Caernarfon and St Asaph which has led to this conclusion. The central tower, the work of Robert Fagan, was added in 1391-2.  Owain Glyndŵr burnt the cathedral and the subsequent restoration was completed by Bishop Redman in 1482. The top of the tower was blown down on 2nd February 1714.  The chapter house and choir were remodelled by Joseph Turner in 1778/9. The tower parapets were the work of Benjamin Gummow in 1810/11 and Lewis Wyatt lowered the ceiling in the nave so obscuring the clerestory c1822. A full restoration took place in 1867-75 by Sir George Gilbert Scott assisted by H J Fairclough when many of the C18 and early C19 were removed and alterations were made to the choir. Restoration of the tower was carried out by C M Oldrid Scott to the tower in 1929-32 and the vestry wing was added during the restoration of 1956-70

Reference
Buildings of Wales– Clwyd 2003
Cadw Listing Notice 1460

Exterior Description

A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.

The cathedral is now a Decorated Gothic building with a 5-bay nave, 2 transepts, a crossing tower with a crenelated parapet and a 3-by Victorian Early English square ended choir.  A variety of stone, variously textured and coloured grey, buff and red; course rubble and roughly dress save to the choir which is mainly dressed sandstone.  There are slate roofs.  The chamfered buttresses at the west end are survivals form C13. On the northside of the building is a round arched recessed Norman door which formally led to the Chapter House.  The C18 Gothic tower has a square stair turret and clock face to the North dated 1794.  The square octofoil clerestory windows were re-opened by Scott.  In the 4th bay of the north side of the nave, the entrance dating from mid C19.

Reference
Buildings of Wales– Clwyd 2003
Cadw Listing Notice 1460

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Fabric and Features

Information about any important features and building fabric.

Work in progress - can you help?

Building Materials

If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Image

Work in progress - can you help?

Interior Description

This section gives a general description of the interior of the church. Further details of any important internal fixtures and fittings will be listed below.

The interior of the cathedral is mainly coursed rubble with freestone dressing.  The nave has a timber ceiling which is heavily ribbed to suggest a lierne vault – the work of George Gilbert Scott, the crenelated springers sit on the original corbels. The arcades have 2 wave and sunk chamfered moulded orders which are a fine example of early C14 work and all with a timber vaulted ceiling.  The transepts were exposed in 1929 by Oldrid Scott, to the north is the organ and Translators Chapel while to the south, in what was a Consistory Court, is the Lady Chapel.  There is a course of stones laid on end to about impost level which may suggest the height of the Norman Building.  On the south side of the choir is the remains of Thomas Jones’ choir screen. The chancel still has the fine late C15 stalls, they are the only surviving canopied examples in Wales, they were possibly made by William Frankelin.  They are tall and vaulted with crocketed canopied with carved foliage, elbow knobs and misericords and now have traceried backs the work of Gilbert Scott.  He also added one stall diagonally at either end and the Bishop’s Throne (the Cathedra) to the south east.  The colonettes to the front were inserted in 1906. Gilbert Scott lined the choir with mainly red and beige ashlar and inserted a panelled wagon ceiling with rose bosses.  There are detached polished marble shafts to the eastern windows and clustered shafts with some stiff leaf to the western bay.  The full width reredos from 1871 is the work of Earp of London, it has a central triptych, its alabaster shows the Procession to Calvery . At the west end of the building is an iron chest dated 1738 and is by the Davies brothers. The Perpendicular font incorporated four quatrefoil panels from its previous font said to have been destroyed during the Commonwealth period, it is said to date from the 1660s but looks C19.  Gilbert Scott’s restoration include the communion rails, the eagle lectern and the pulpit which has some incised patterning and busts looking out from the panels. The stained glass: ‘Scenes from the Life of Christ’, Ward & Hughes, 1864; elsewhere there is Victorian glass. There are two bells, one cast in 1848 by C & G Mears and one cast in 1947 by John Taylor & Co.

Reference
Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003
Cadw Listing Notice

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings. 

Work in progress - can you help?

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecology

A description of the ecology of the churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Cathedral.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Cathedral.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Cathedral.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

Work in progress - can you help?

Burial and War Grave Information

Records whether the church has been consecrated.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.

It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.

It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?

Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.

The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Cathedral.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Cathedral.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Cathedral

Churchyard Structures

Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Setting Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship of the church to its surrounding area and helps place it within its wider landscape context.

Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the significance of the historic building fabric of the church.

Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the historic significance of the interior of the church.

Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Level:

Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.

Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:

Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship between the church and its community. 

Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.

Work in progress - can you help?

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Cathedral . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

"Seek Advice" Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Cathedral, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Cathedral, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Cathedral. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Cathedral and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Cathedral, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionTue 12 Dec 2023 12:25:09
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionTue 12 Dec 2023 12:24:31
Paul BakerModified the Grid ReferenceTue 12 Dec 2023 11:29:45
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Archaeology and History DescriptionTue 12 Dec 2023 11:27:59
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Location and Setting DescriptionTue 12 Dec 2023 11:27:29
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionTue 12 Dec 2023 11:26:59
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Approximate DateTue 12 Dec 2023 11:26:37
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Burial and War Grave informationTue 12 Dec 2023 10:52:31
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the Asset AddressTue 12 Dec 2023 10:51:24
Paul BakerModified asset data - Modified the National Park informationTue 12 Dec 2023 10:50:04
First Previous Next Last 
Page 1 of 2 (12 items)
Page size:
Site Map  | Privacy | T & C | © 2014 - 2025 Church in Wales  | Website by exeGesIS SDM | Rev. 2.2.9173.19815
  • Home
  • Login
  • Register