All of our churches were built over 100 years ago and accessibility is limited in some of them. While we try to make every church as accessible as possible it is extremely difficult in ancient buildings subject to strict faculty (planning) rules. However, we hope the information below will help.
If you require a gluten free wafer at any of our churches, please let the welcomer know as you enter the church and then tell the priest when receiving communion.
Christchurch, North Street
- Parking: Available in the church grounds and also in North Street (although both can be limited)
- Accessibility: Both church and hall are fully accessible for wheelchair users, with the exception of the area around the altar (Eucharist is given before the step to the altar area)
- Hearing loop: There is no hearing loop
- Services: A range of services, including Welsh language Eucharist at 11am on the first Sunday of the month; contemporary language Eucharist with hymns and sermon, at 9.30am on the third Sunday of the month; and traditional Evensong, sung by the congregation, at 5pm on the fourth Sunday of the month. All services last between 45 minutes and an hour
- Toilets: Fully accessible in the adjacent hall, which is open before, during and after the service
- Refreshments: Tea & coffee available after every service, served in the hall
- How to give: If you able to donate towards the running of the church, please leave your contribution in the collection plate at the back of the church when you come in (it’s alongside the service books)
St Mary’s Priory, Monk Street
- Parking: Available in the adjacent council-run car park. Parking is free for two hours on a Sunday morning in the car park nearest the church (but please get a ticket from the machines). Disabled parking is available. On Sunday mornings, disabled parking is available on the church forecourt.
- Accessibility:
- Church: Accessible in all parts with the exception of the Herbert Chapel and the area around the high altar
- Priory Centre Hall: Fully accessible to wheelchair users
- Music Room: Accessible via stairs and a stairlift
- Mezzanine: Accessible via spiral stairs and through the music room
- Tithe Barn: Fully accessible to wheelchair users, including a lift to the first floor
- Hearing loop:
- Church: Has a hearing loop
- Priory Centre hall: Has microphone and loudspeaker system if required
- None of the other areas has a hearing loop
- Services:
- Sunday 8am: Said Eucharist, using the 1984 Book of Common Prayer, lasting 45 to 50 minutes
- Sunday 11am: Traditional/Modern Choral Eucharist in term time, with incense on festival days, Lasts around an hour and a quarter
- Sunday 5pm: Traditional Choral Evensong, sung by St Mary’s Priory Choir or a visiting choir, lasting an hour. No Evensong on the fourth Sunday of the month (see Christchurch, North Street, above)
- Wednesday 10am: Said Eucharist, lasting around 45 minutes, with a short homily
- Toilets:
- Church & Priory Centre: The toilets, including a disabled one, are on the ground floor in the Vestry area between church and hall. They are available before, during and after the services, either via the courtyards (please check with the welcomer at the door that the Priory Centre door is unlocked) or by going behind the nave altar to access the Vestry area
- Tithe Barn: Fully accessible toilet is available
- Refreshments: Served in the Priory Centre Hall after the 11am Sunday service and the 10am Wednesday service. The Wellbeing Cafe in the Tithe Barn is open on Wednesdays.
- How to give: A tap-and-go contactless machine is available in the church and a collection plate is placed on the welcome desk for any contributions you are able to make. A collection is taken at the 11am Sunday Choral Eucharist. There are collection boxes in the Tithe Barn.
Holy Trinity, Baker Street
- Parking: There is a paid-for car park off Baker Street and a free one within a short walk (although access is fairly steep)
- Accessibility: Both church and adjacent hall are fully accessible to wheelchair users, with the exception of the choir and altar area.
- Hearing loop: The hearing loop works at the rear quarter of the church, towards the entrance.
- Length of service:
- Sunday: A service with music from the worship band, starting at 11am and lasting around an hour, although it can be longer
- Sunday Open House Eucharist: On the second Sunday of the month at 11am. A relaxed, informal service for all the family, for those who are exploring faith. Lasts around 45 to 55 minutes
- Friday: A contemporary said service of Holy Eucharist, at 10am, lasting 30 to 45 minutes
- Toilets: There are fully accessible toilets in the adjacent hall which are available before, during and after the services
- Refreshments: Tea & coffee is served in the church after the Sunday services, with the exception of the second Sunday of the month, when they are served in the hall, along with a complementary soup and cake lunch
- How to give: A collection plate is available on the table directly inside the church door.
St Faith’s, Llanfoist
- Parking: Available on the streets around the church or in the small car park just off the main road (signs point to Abergavenny Garden Centre)
- Accessibility: Church is accessible with the use of an available ramp.
- Hearing loop: There is no hearing loop
- Services: Contemporary Eucharist or Morning Prayer, with hymns and sermon, at 9.30am on Sundays, lasting between 45 minutes and an hour
- Toilets: No toilets at the church but there is a fully accessible toilet in the hall, although this is some distance from the church towards the centre of the village
- Refreshments: None after church services but there are coffee mornings (first Monday of the month 10am to noon) and bingo (fourth Tuesday of the month 7pm) in the hall
- How to give: A collection is taken during the service
St Helen’s, Llanellen
- Parking: No designated parking but plenty available on the surrounding streets
- Accessibility: There are steps into the church so it is not suitable for wheelchair users
- Hearing loop: There is a microphone and speakers but no hearing loop.
- Services: Usually contemporary Eucharist with hymns and sermon, at 9.30am on Sundays, lasting between 45 minutes and an hour. On rare occasions the service is contemporary Morning Prayer
- Toilets: None available
- Refreshments: Not available
- How to give: A collection is taken during the service
St Peter’s, Llanwenarth Citra
- Parking: Available in a large layby opposite the church
- Accessibility: There is a small stop into the church porch and a ramp into the church itself
- Hearing loop: There is a hearing loop, plus microphone and speakers
- Services: Contemporary Eucharist or traditional Morning Prayer, with hymns and sermon, at 9.30am on Sundays, lasting between 45 minutes and an hour
- Toilets: None available
- Refreshments: Tea & coffee is served in the church after the Sunday services
- How to give: There is a plate at the back of the church and a collection is also taken during the service.
Christchurch, Govilon
- Parking: Car park near the main entrance on Church Lane (but space may be limited during funeral or wedding services) or along Merthyr Road
- Accessibility: Accessible to wheelchair users from the car park on Church Lane
- Hearing loop: The church has a hearing loop
- Services: Contemporary Eucharist with hymns and sermon at 11am on Sundays, lasting between 45 minutes and an hour
- Toilets: A portaloo is available tucked away alongside the church porch and is available before, during and after services. It’s not easily accessible for wheelchair users
- Refreshments: Tea & coffee served at the back of the church after the Sunday services, with homemade cakes
- How to give: A plate is available as you come into the church, although a collection is sometimes taken during the service – check with the welcomer