The Anglican Diocese of St Asaph in the north-east corner of Wales stretches from the borders of Chester in the east, to the Conwy valley in the west, to Bala in the south-west, and Newtown in the south-east.
[citation needed] The more populous areas are to be found along the coast and in the large conurbation of Wrexham, the principal town.
Where once the coal, steel and textile industries provided most of the employment, the economy is now much more diversified and one of the fastest growing in the UK.
A major employer is Airbus UK (currently part of BAE Systems), while Wrexham Industrial Estate is one of the largest in Europe.
North-east Wales also acts as a dormitory area for Chester Business Park, which is dominated by MBNA.
[citation needed] Most of the diocese is rural, interspersed with small market towns and village communities.
The southern area of the diocese in north Powys is undergoing regional development, especially with the advent of a good number of small industries.
[citation needed] Traditionally, the Diocese of St Asaph extended across the border into England.
However, following disestablishment on 31 March 1920, the Shropshire parishes of Criftins, Hengoed, Kinnerley, Knockin, Llanyblodwel, Llanymynech, Melverley, Morton, Oswestry, St Martins, Selattyn, Trefonen, Weston Rhyn and Whittington were transferred from the Diocese of St Asaph to the English Diocese of Lichfield.
[citation needed] This diocese was founded by St. Kentigern about the middle of the sixth century, when he was exiled from his see in Scotland.
Early in the twelfth century, Norman influence asserted itself and in 1143 Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, consecrated one Gilbert as Bishop of St. Asaph, but the position of his successors was very difficult and one of them, Godfrey, was driven away by poverty and the hostility of the Welsh.
A return made in the middle of the thirteenth century (British Library, Cotton MSS, Vitellius, c.
It was a plain massive structure of simple plan, and was again destroyed during the English succession Wars of the Roses.
The chief shrines in the diocese were St. Winefred's Well, St. Garmon in Yale (Welsh: Iâl), St. Dervel Gadarn in Edeirnion, St. Monacella at Pennant and the Holy Cross in Strata Marcella.
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 £6,301.
This made it the wealthiest diocese in Wales and the fourth richest in Britain after Canterbury, London and Winchester.
[7] She trained for the ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge before receiving ordination in the Church of England:[6] she was made deacon at Petertide 2007 (1 July) — by Nicholas Reade, Bishop of Blackburn, at Blackburn Cathedral[8] — and ordained priest the following Petertide (28 June 2008) — by Geoff Pearson, Bishop of Lancaster, at Lancaster Priory (i.e. Matthews' title church).
[25] This was formed by the union of the parishes of Berriew, Buttington, Castle Caereinion, Criggion, Forden, Fron, Guilsfield, Llandrinio, Llandysilio St Mary, Llandysilio St Tysilio, Llandyssil, Montgomery, Pantyffridd, Penrhos, Pool Quay and Welshpool.
[30] 1original dedication to St Trinio This was formed by the union of the parishes of Brithdir, Bwlchycibau, Llanarmon Mynydd, Llanfechain, Llangadwaladr, Llangedwyn, Llangynog, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant, Llansantffraid-Ym-Mechain, Llansilin, Llanwddyn, Llwydiarth, Pennant Melangell and Penybontfawr.
[41] The original Valle Crucis was formed in 2017 by the union of the parishes of Bryneglwys, Corwen St Ffraid, Corwen SS Mael & Sulien, Glyndyfrdwy, Gwyddelwern, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llandegla, Llangollen St Collen, Llangollen St John, Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog, Llansantffraid Glyn Dyfrdwy, Llantysilio, Pontfadog and Trevor,[42] and was named after Valle Crucis Abbey.
Penedeyrn was formed by the union of the parishes of Bala, Cerrigydrudion, Dinmael, Frongoch, Llandderfel, Llandrillo, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, Llangar, Llangwm, Llawrybetws and Ysbyty Ifan,[43] and was named after part of the historical area of Edeirnion.
[46] 1occasional services still held 2original dedication to St Deiniol This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bryn Pydew, Craigydon, Deganwy, Eglwysrhos, Llanddoget, Llandudno Junction, Llangystenin, Llanrwst, Llansantffraid Glan Conwy and Penrhyn Bay.
[83] 1original dedication to St Nefydd This was formed by the union of the parishes of Clocaenog, Efenechtyd, Gyffylliog, Llanarmon Yn Ial, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanelidan, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Llanfwrog, Llangynhafal, Llanrhydd, Llanychan, Llanynys, Rhewl and Ruthin.
[109] 1original dedication to St Ambrose This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bangor Monachorum, Bettisfield, Bronington, Erbistock, Eyton, Hanmer, Marchwiel, Overton, Penley and Worthenbury.