The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon is a Diocese of the Church in Wales, established in 1923 with Brecon Priory as the cathedral. The area of the diocese had formerly been the Archdeaconry of Brecon within the Diocese of St Davids. The diocese has a border with each of the other five Welsh dioceses, as well as with the English Diocese of Hereford.
Edward Latham Bevan was made Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of St Davids as Bishop of Swansea in 1915, and in 1923 he was elected as the first Bishop of the new diocese.
The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon
After the 9th Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Davies retired on 2 May 2021, the process of electing a new bishop began. After the electoral college held at St Mary's Church, Swansea was unable to elect a bishop with the requisite two-thirds majority, it fell to the Bench of Bishops to choose a new bishop. On 4 November 2021 the Bench announced that they had chosen the Archdeacon of Wrexham, John Lomas to be the 10th Bishop of Swansea and Brecon. This election was confirmed at a Sacred Synod held at St Giles' Church, Wrexham on 22 November 2021.
Senior clergy in the diocese
The current Dean of Brecon is Dr Adrian Morgan. The current Archdeacons of the diocese are: Brecon — Alan Jevons Gower — Jonathan Davies
Archdeaconries and deaneries DioceseArchdeaconryDeaneryChurchesPopulationPeople/churchDiocese of Swansea and BreconArchdeaconry of BreconDeanery of Greater Brecon5941,971711Deanery of Radnor and Builth6627,724420Archdeaconry of GowerDeanery of Afon Tawe (Swansea)26160,3186,166Deanery of Greater Gower34100,1032,944Total/average185330,1161,784 The original deaneries were Brecon I, Brecon II, Crickhowell, Hay, Builth, Maelienydd, Swansea, Cwmtawe, Gower, Clyne, Penderi, Llwchwr and Knighton.
List of churches APC = ancient parish church; MC = medieval chapelry.
Archdeaconry of Brecon
Black Mountains Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Betws, Boughrood, Bronllys, Capel-Y-Ffin, Cathedine, Clyro, Glasbury All Saints, Glasbury St Peter, Hay, Llandefalle, Llanfihangel Talyllyn, Llanfilo, Llangasty Talyllyn, Llangorse, Llanigon, Llanstephen, Llanywern, Llowes, Llyswen, Talachddu and Talgarth. It is named after the Black Mountains. It has an estimated population of c. 9,200. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, three Priests and two Assistant Curates (one of whom is also the Archdeacon). ChurchFounded (building)St Mary, Capel-y-FfinMC (1762)St Mary, Hay-on-WyeAPCSt John's Chapel, Hay-on-WyeMC/1934 (C19th)St Eigon, LlanigonAPCSt Peter, Glasbury1APC (1837)Holy Trinity, Bettws ClyroMC (1878)St Michael & All Angels, ClyroAPC (C19th)All Saints, Cwmbach, Glasbury1882St Meilig, LlowesAPC (1853)St Matthew, Llandefalle2APCSt Gwendoline, LlyswenAPC (1863)St Mary, TalachdduAPCSt Steffan, LlanstephanAPCSt Cynog, BoughroodAPC (1870)St Mary, BronllysAPC (C19th)St Bilo, LlanfiloAPCSt Gwendoline, TalgarthAPCSt Michael, Llanfihangel TalyllynAPC (1865)St Gastyn, Llangasty TalyllynAPC (1856)St Paulinus, LlangorseAPCSt Mary the Virgin, LlanywernAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Michael, CathedineAPC (1868)pre-2010St Maelog, Llandyfaelog Tre'r GraigAPCAberllynfi ChapelMCC18thSt Ellyw, LlanelieuAPC1999 1original dedication to St Cynidr 2original dedication to St Maelog
Brecon and Epynt Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberyskir, Bettws, Brecon St David or Llanfaes, Brecon St Mary, Cantref, Crai, Defynnog, Dyffryn Honddu, Llanddew, Llandefaelog Fach, Llandilo'r Fan, Llanfeugan, Llanfihangel Fechan, Llanfihangel Nantbran, Llanfrynach, Llanhamlach, Llanilltyd, Llansantffraed-Juxta-Usk, Llanspyddid, Llanthetty, Llanulid, Llywel, Merthyr Cynog, Penpont, Rhydybriw, Traean-Glas and Trallwng. It is named after Brecon and Mynydd Epynt. It has an estimated population of c. 11,500. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Priests and two Assistant Curates. ChurchFounded (building)Rhydybriw Chapel, SennybridgeC18th/19th (1860)St Mary, Trecastle1889St David, LlywelAPCSt Ilid, CrayMC (1883)St Cynog, DefynnogAPCSt Teilo, Llandeilo'r FanAPCSS Cynidr & Mary, Aberyscir2APCBettws Penpont Parish ChurchMC (1864)St Maelog, Llandefaelog FachAPCSt Michael, Llanfihangel Nant-BranAPC (1882)St Cynog, Merthyr CynogAPCSt David, TrallwngAPCSt David, Llanfaes, BreconAPC (1861)St Mary, BreconAPCSt David, Llanddew1APCSt Meugan, Llanfeugan, PencelliAPCSt Tetti, Llanddetty, Talybont-on-UskAPCSt Bridget, Llansantffraid-juxta-UskAPC (1885)St Brynach, LlanfrynachAPCSt Mary, CantrefAPCSS Illtyd & Peter, Llanhamlach3APCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Michael, Llanfihangel FechanMC (c. 1790)c. 2022St Cattwg, LlanspyddidAPCc. 2019St John, Libanus1891St Illtud, LlanilltydMC1920sSt David, GarthbrengyAPCpre-2014Capel Dyffryn HondduMC? (C18th/19th)St Cynog, BattleAPC (1880)Glyn Collwn ChapelMCpre-1948Taf Fechan Chapelpre-C20th (c. 1926)C20th 1original dedication to Holy Trinity 2original dedication to St Cynidr 3original dedication to St Illtyd
East Radnor Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Beguildy, Bleddfa, Bryngwyn, Cascob, Colva, Crugybyddar, Evancoyd, Gladestry, Heyope, Knighton, Llanddewi Fach, Llanfihangel Nantmelan, Llangynllo, New Radnor, Newchurch, Norton, Painscastle, Pilleth and Whitton. It has an estimated population of 5,544. As of September 2024 it was served by one Priest. ChurchFounded (building)St David, HeyopeAPC (1881)St Cynllo, LlangunlloAPC (1878)St Michael, BeguildyAPCSt Mary Magdalene, BleddfaAPCSt Michael, CascobAPCSt Edward, KnightonAPC (C19th)St David, WhittonAPCSt Mary, PillethAPCSt David, ColvaAPCSt Mary, GladestryAPCSt Michael, Llanfihangel NantmelanAPC (1846)St Peter, Evancoyd1887St Mary, New RadnorAPC (1845)St Michael, BryngwynAPCSt Peter, Llanbedr PainscastleAPCSt David, Llanddewi FachAPC (1860)St Mary, NewchurchAPC (1857)Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Andrew, NortonAPCc. 2019St Peter, Crugybyddar1855pre-2011
Irfon, Wye and Edw Ministry Area This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberedw, Alltmawr, Bettws Disserth, Beulah, Builth Wells, Cregrina, Crickadarn, Glascombe, Gwenddwr, Llanbadarn y Garreg, Llanddewi, Llanddewi'r Cwm, Llandeilo Graban, Llandulais-in-Tir-Abad, Llanelwedd, Llanfaredd, Llanfechan, Llanfihangel Abergwessin, Llangammarch, Llanganten, Llangynog, Llanlleonfel, Llansantffraed-in-Elwel, Llanwrtyd, Llanwrtyd Wells, Llanynys, Maesmynis and Rhulen. It is named after the Rivers Irfon, Wye and Edw. It has an estimated population of 6,946. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, three Priests and one Assistant Curate. ChurchFounded (building)Lamb of God, Beulah1867St James, Llanwrtyd Wells1896St David, Llanwrtyd1APCLlanlleonfel Parish Church, GarthAPC (1876)St Cadmarch, Llangammarch WellsAPC (1916)St Cannen, Llanganten, CilmeryAPCSt Afan, Llanafan Fechan, GarthAPC (1866)St Mary, Builth WellsAPCSt David, Llanddewi'r CwmAPCSt David, MaesmynisAPC (1878)St David, LlanynisAPCSt Mauritius, AlltmawrAPC (C18th?)St David, RhulenAPCSt Mary, LlanfareddAPCSt Mary, Bettws DisserthAPC (1883)St Bridget, Llansantffraed-in-ElwelAPC (1896)St David, GlascwmAPCSt David, CregrinaAPCSt Matthew, Llanelwedd2APCSt Dubricius, GwenddwrAPC (1886)St Mary, CrickadarnAPCSt Padarn, Llanbadarn y GarregAPCSt Cewydd, AberedwAPCSt Teilo, Llandeilo GrabanAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt David, Llandulais-in-Tirabad1716c. 2010St Michael, Llanfihangel AbergwesynAPC (1871)1964St David, Llanddewi AbergwesynMC1871St Cynog, LlangynogAPC (1882)1916 1original dedication to St Gwrtyd 2original dedication to St Elwedd
Pen y Glyn Ministry Area This was formed by the merger of the parishes of Cefn Coed, Penderyn, Pontneathvaughan, Vaynor and Ystradfellte. It is named after the Heads of the Valleys. It has an estimated population of 4,861. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader/House for Duty Priest. ChurchFounded (building)St Gwynno, VaynorAPC (1870)St John the Baptist, Cefncoedycwmmer1870St John, PontneathvaughanC19th?St Mary, YstradfellteAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Tudor, Cefncoedycwmmer18891936St Cynog, PenderynAPCCapel NantdduMC (1864)pre-1990
St Catwg Ministry Area This was formed in 2015 by the merger of the parishes of Brynmawr, Bwlch, Crickhowell, Cwmdu, Glangrwyney, Llanbedr Ystrad Yw, Llanelli, Llangattock, Llangenni, Llangynidr, Patricio and Tretower. It is named after Saint Cadoc or Catwg, to whom the church at Llangattock is dedicated. It has an estimated population of c. 16,000. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, one Priest and two Assistant Curates. ChurchFounded (building)St Mary the Virgin, Brynmawr1875 (1900)St Edmund, CrickhowellAPCSt Michael the Archangel, Llanfihangel CwmduAPCSt John the Evangelist, TretowerMC (1877)St Elli, LlanellyAPCSt Catwg, LlangattockAPCSS Cynidr & Mary, Llangynidr1APC (1928)All Saints, Bwlch1902St Issui, PartrishowAPCSt Peter, Llanbedr-Ystrad-YwAPCSt Cenau, LlangennyAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedGlangrwyney Mission Churchpre-1918 1dedicated to St Cynidr alone until c. 1100
The Cathedral Ministry Area This was formed from the parish of Brecon St John the Evangelist. It has an estimated population of c. 2,000. As of September 2024 it was served by one Dean, one Canon Precentor and one Minor Canon. ChurchFounded (building)Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, BreconAPC
West Radnor Ministry Area This was formed by the merger of the parishes of Abbey Cwmhir, Cefnllys, Cwmbach Llechryd, Cwmdauddwr, Diserth, Howey, Llanafan Fawr, Llananno, Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Llanbister, Llanddewi Ystradenni, Llandegley, Llandrindod, Llanfihangel Brynpabuan, Llanfihangel Helygen, Llanfihangel Rhydithon, Llanwrthwl, Llanyre, Nantmel, Newbridge-on-Wye, Rhayader, St Harmon and Ysfa. It has an estimated population of 14,794. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and two Priests (one also a Mission Hub Leader). ChurchFounded (building)St Gwrthwl, LlanwrthwlAPC (1875)St Garmon, St HarmonAPC (1821)St Clement, Rhayader1APC (1897)St Cynllo, NantmelAPC (1792)St Mark, Yr Hysfa, Nantmel1870Nantgwyllt Chapel, Cwmdauddwrpre-1840 (1903)St Bridget, Llansantffraed CwmdauddwrAPC (1865)St Michael, Llanfihangel Rhydithon, DolauAPC (1891)St Mary the Virgin, AbbeycwmhirAPC (1866)St Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Cross GatesAPC (1879)St Tecla, LlandegleyAPC (1876)St Padarn, Llanbadarn FynyddAPC (1894)St Cynllo, LlanbisterAPCSt David, Llanddewi YstradenniAPC (1890)All Saints, Newbridge-on-Wye1883St Michael & All Angels, Llanfihangel BrynpabuanAPC (C19th?)St John the Divine, Cwmbach Llechryd1887St Afan, Llanafan FawrAPCOld Parish Church (Holy Trinity), LlandrindodAPC (1894)Holy Trinity, Llandrindod Wells1871St Michael, CefnllysAPCSt Cewydd, DisserthAPCSt David, Howeyc. 1880 (1904)St Llyr, LlanyreAPC (1887)St Michael, Llanfihangel HelygenAPCFormer churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt Anno, LlanannoAPC (1877)c. 2019 1originally dedicated to St Cynllo
Archdeaconry of Gower
Afon Tawe Ministry Area This was formed in June 2023 by the union of the parishes of Birchgrove, Glais, Llangyfelach SS David & Cyfelach, Llangyfelach St Teilo, Llansamlet and Morriston. It is named after the River Tawe and was originally called Tawe Isaf. It has an estimated population of c. 39,000. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Priest. ChurchFounded (building)SS David & Cyfelach, Llangyfelach1APC (c. 1803)St David, Morriston1891St John, Birchgrove, Llansamlet1891St Samlet, LlansamletAPC (1879)St Paul, Glais1881Former churchesFounded (building)ClosedSt John, MorristonC18th (1862)C21stSt Teilo on the Clase, Morriston1950sc. 2019 1original dedication to St Cyfelach
Cwmtawe Ministry Area