Churches Unlocked 2025
(16th June - end of July)
We are really excited that 14 of our churches are taking part in Churches Unlocked: Hidden Gems - which kicks off this weekend!
The event runs from Saturday 8th to Sunday 16th June and gives churches the chance to celebrate and share their ‘Hidden Gems’. This is the second year the Diocese of Monmouth are taking part and more of our churches than ever will be opening and holding events.
You can view many of the events below, with more being added. With community events, family fun, music, arts, workshops and special services there is plenty for everyone and it would be great to get more people than ever visiting so why not pop along!
Abergavenny MA
St Mary's Priory Church, Abergavenny
Monk Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5ND
Access: Ample parking in adjacent council run car park, step-free access, toilets available, tea and coffee available in the Tithe Barn across from the church.
Explore
Church open daily during opening week: Monday-Saturday from 10am – 2pm, Sunday 10am-1pm
Events
- Evensong every Friday at 7pm
Hidden Gem - extensive mediaeval monuments, part of giant Jesse, modern stained glass
St Ffwyst, Llanfoist
Church Road Llanfoist ABERGAVENNY NP7 9NF
Access: Parking outside the church, step free access from the west gate.
Explore
Church open on Saturday 21st June from 9am-noon
St Peter's Church, Llanwenarth Citra
Llanwenarth Citra, Abergavenny NP7 7EP
Access: No toilets, parking at the gate.
Events
- June 28th at 7.00pm: Oriel Singers Concert - refreshments served in the interval.
Hidden Gem - Ancient churchyard dating back to Celtic times; and unique dole cupboard
Holy Trinity Church, Abergavenny
Baker St, Abergavenny NP7 5BH
Access: Toilets in church hall next to the church, parking in Trinity Terrace Car Park, flat access into church.
Church open on Friday 20th June from 10am-noon.
Events
- July 12th: Open Church, refreshments available - 10.00am until 3.30pm
Hearth of Monmouthshire
St Tegfedd, Llandegfedd
Church Road, Llandegfedd, Monmouthshire NP18 1JA
Access: Dog friendly, level access to the main areas, parking within 250m, space to secure your bike, walkers & cyclists welcome.
Church open Monday 16th-Thursday 19th from 7am-9pm
Events
- Services are held on the first Sunday of every month at 11am.
Hidden Gem - Come and admire one of the best-preserved medieval embanked churchyard in Wales; our unique engravings; and the beautiful, peaceful setting of this lovely rural church
.
St Peter, St Paul & St John, Llantrissent
Llantrissent, Usk NP15 1LG
Access: Bottles of water and packets of biscuits available for visitors, no toilets or other facilities.
Church is always open.
Mid Torfaen MA
St Hilda's, Griffithstown
Griffithstown, Pontypool, NP4 5LT
Access: Refreshments, toilets and parking available, ramp for disabled access .
Explore
Church open Monday 16th-Saturday 21st from noon-1pm
&
Church open Thursday 19th-Saturday 21st from 2-4pm.
Events
- 15th June: Songs of Praise
Hidden Gem – West Window (Royal Family)
Monmouth Marches MA
St Michael's, Tintern Parva
Tintern, Chepstow NP16 6SG
Access: Public car park beside the church, disabled toilet available, flat access.
Explore
Church open Monday 16th-Sunday 22nd June from 8am-6pm
-or- the church can be opened at other times by appointment
Self-catered refreshments available.
Events
- Art/Craft Exhibition by Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade
- Guided Walk from St Mary's to St Michaels (Date and Time TBC)
St Tysoi, Llansoy
Church Lane, Llansoy, Usk NP15 1HL
Access: The church has toilets with wheelchair access to the church is via a gentle slope. There is limited parking in Church Lane.
Explore
Church open 9am-5pm
Events
- 26th June: Flower Show
- 27th & 28th June: Celebration Weekend - Open Church with tea, coffee and home baking.
- 28th June: Concert - 6-10pm
- 29th June: Sunday Service with refreshments after.
St Cenhedlon
Rockfield, Monmouth, NP25 5QB
Refreshments available, parking area across the road.
Explore
Church Open Saturday 21st June from 10am-4pm.
Mountain and Marsh MA
St James the Great, Rudry
Van Rd, Caerphilly CF83 3JQ
Access: The church is situated on a country lane and there is limited on street parking. Access is via a level path, though there is an incline. There are no toilet facilities.
Explore
Church open every Wednesday from 10am-4pm; and every Sunday from 8am-5pm.
Events
- 21st June: Open Church Coffee morning from 10am-1pm with cake and music.
St Bridget’s, St Brides
Church Rd, St Brides, Wentloog NP10 8SN
Access: Church parking, toilets , tea or coffee, wheel chair access
Explore
Church is open on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th June from 10am-noon for tower tours with coffee and biscuits and from 2-3pm for quiet reflection.
Events
- 29th June: Family Day and Strawberry Tea from 2pm.
- 25th July: Welsh singing and cuisine night from 6.30pm.
Severn Wye MA
St Arvan, St Arvan’s
& St Mary, Penterry
24 Wyndcliffe View, St Arvans, Chepstow NP16 6ET
Penterry Ln, St Arvans, Chepstow NP16 6HQ
Access for St Arvan's: Parking outside Meeting Rooms, flat access
Explore
St Arvans Church is always open - 8.00am until 9.00pm.
Events
- Friday 20th June: Open Air “Wine & Wander” Garden Visit with music at Wyndcliffe Court, Penterry, 6 - 8 pm. Email: info@penterry.org.uk
- Saturday 21st June: Open Churches Day (St Arvans Church) 10.00am - 6.30pm. Open to visitors for guided tours/ meditation / refreshments all day.
- Saturday 21st June: Illustrated talk on The Chepstow Dambuster: William Clifford Townsend (St Arvans Church) 6.30 pm with light refreshments. Speaker: Mr David Priddis. Free entry.
- Sunday 22nd June: Morning Celebration Eucharist (St Arvans Church) 10.00 am ALL WELCOME. Celebrant: Father Michael Gollop MA BD SSC. Refreshments after service.
- Saturday 12th July: St Arvans Patronal Festival : Community Walk & Breakfast : ( more details available later )
- Friday 25th July: Illustrated Talk : “ Reflections on Camino “ (St Arvans Church) 7.00 pm. Speaker: Father Michael Gollop. Tapas / wine / and other light refreshments available.