Dictionary

Words on this page

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Eucharist

‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek word for ‘thanksgiving’. At the Eucharist the Church remembers Jesus’ last supper where he gave bread and wine to be his body and blood, a sign of his saving love. See also Holy Communion.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home For clergy and members Churches Unlocked 2026

Churches Unlocked 2026

(6th-21st June 2026)

Churches Unlocked starts again this weekend, running from Saturday 6th June to Sunday 21st June and there is lots happening across the Diocese!

This event gives churches the chance to celebrate and share their special buildings. This is the third year the Diocese of Monmouth are taking part and more of our churches than ever will be opening and holding events.

The interactive map below shows the churches taking part across our Diocese. With community events, family fun, music, arts, crafts and special services there is plenty for everyone and it would be great to get more people than ever visiting. Why not pop along to church you've always wanted to visit?

Below is an interactive map showing all the churches taking part this year:


St Mary the Virgin, Marshfield
Marshfield CARDIFF CF3 2UF

Access: limited lane parking, flat path, ramp for wheelchair access, toilet.

Explore

Church open Monday 15th June - Friday 19th June 10am-1pm: Free refreshments.

Events

Saturday 13th June 4pm: Proms in the Park with Anthony Stuart Lloyd

St Bride, Wentlooge
Coast Road, NP108SN

Access: parking available, wheelchair access, ground outside relatively flat, toilets available.

Explore

16th June 11am-1pm: Coffee, cake, tower tours and history talk.

17th June 1pm-3pm: Coffee, cake, tower tours and history talk.

Events

  • 21st June 10am: Pet service
  • 28th June: Family Day

St Teilo, Llantilio Pertholey
Mardy, Abergavenny, NP76NT

Access: carpark opposite churchyard, level access into church, disabled toilet available.

Explore

Church open 10am-4pm Saturday 6th, 13th, 20th

Events

  • Saturday 13th June 7pm: Recorder Concert
  • Saturday 20th June 10am-3pm: Cream Tea and Craft Fair!
St Arvan, St Arvans

24 Wyndcliffe View, Chepstow NP166ET

Access: Free carparking opposite church, no toilet available.

Explore

Church open daily 9am-4pm

Events

  • Friday 19th June 7pm: Wine and Wander: A Tour through the X-Ray Universe
St Thomas a Becket Shirenewton
Red House Lane, Chepstow, NP166RQ

Access: parking around perimeter, level access on west side, toilet available

Explore

Church open 10am-4pm Daily

Events

  • Tuesday 9th June 10am-12pm: Opening Children's toybox
  • Saturday 20th June 2pm-4pm: Teddybear parachuting and family picnic
St Michael Llanfihangel Pontymoel
Pontymoel, Usk Road, Pontypool, NP40JB

Access: near Horse and Jockey pub, parking in pub, no toilets in church, flat access from road.

Explore

Saturday 6th June 11-3pm, Sunday 7th June 9:30am-2pm

Events

Saturday 6th June 11am-3pm - Church Open Day

Christchurch, Govilon
Merthyr Road, Abergavenny NP7 9RP

Access: via carpark at top of Church lane, slight slope down to building. Portaloo in churchyard.

Events

  • 13th June 10am-4pm: Church Open Day
St Denis, Llanishen
Llanishen NP16 6QB

Access: parking and toilets available at church hall

Events

  • 26th-28th June: Flower Festival, Friday evening concert, children's activities in churchyard.
St Odoceus, Llandogo
Llandogo NP25 4TJ

Access: limited parking next to church but parking available in adjacent pub, level access, toilet facilities and refreshments.

Explore

Church open daily

Events

Weekends 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st: History talks and tours

St Peter, Blaenavon
Church Road, Blaenavon, NP49AE

Access: situated in centre of town, small parking sites close by, level entrance path, toilet available on site.

Events

  • Thursday 10th, 18th June 9:45-11am: Said service followed by coffee and cake.
  • Saturday 27th June 10:30am-3pm: Church Open Day (in line with St Paul, Blaenavon)
St Paul, Blaenavon
Llanover Road, Capel Newyd Blaenavon, NP49AN

Access: Situated near the top of town, carparking nearby.

Events

  • 27th June: Church Open Day (in line with St Peter, Blaenavon)
Holy Trinity, Christchurch
Christchurch, Newport, NP181JJ

Access: carpark outside church plus another opposite at the church hall, path to church is flat and ramp into building.

Explore

Church open 1pm-4pm weekends 13th + 14th June and 20th + 21st June

St Cadoc, Trevethin
Church Avenue, Pontypool NP4 8JA

Access: Parking at the side of road, toilets available inside, level access via top lychgate.

Explore

Church Open - Wednesday 17th June 2pm-5pm

Events

  • Thursday 18th June 6pm: Blaenavon Male Voice Choir and local school choir concert.
  • Saturday 20th June 10am-3pm: Church Heritage Day
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 Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th

Events

  • Saturday 13th June 7:30pm: Howley's Howler's Concert
  • Sunday 14th June 6pm: Songs of Praise
St Mary, Caldicot
Llanthony Close, Caldicot NP26 4LU

Access: External disable toilet at the church , parking in the hall (Llanthony Close) short walk to the church, unlevel. All accesses to the church are uphill paths (not steep no steps).

Events

6th June 10am-5pm - Vestment Display-Children's activities, tours of the church with local historian. Refreshments.
7th June 2pm-5pm - Cafe style church with informal service, Vestment display , bellringer's quarter peal ,opportunity to visit tower after ringing. Children's activities and prayer stations, Refreshments
11th and 18th June 11am-2pm - Refreshments ,there will be greeters available to chat about the church.

St Michael Llanvihangel Crucorney
Llanvihangel Crucorney, NP78DH

Access: Street parking, step-free access, toilets available.

Explore

Church open 6th, 7th, 13th June

2pm-5pm

St David, Llanddewi Skirrid
Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny NP7 8AW

Access: Parking, flat access into church.

Explore

Church open 10am-4pm Saturday 6th, 13th, 20th June

St David, Llanddewi Rhydderch
Church Lane, Llanddewi Rhydderch, NP79TS

Access: Flat access via kissing gate but not wheelchair wide. Toilet available.

Explore

Church open Daily 10am-4pm

St John Apostle and Evangelist, Llandenny
Llandenny, NP151DL

Access: on street parking, access level from roadside path, toilets signposted.

Explore

Church open daily 9am-6pm

Discover link with Lord Raglan and family history.

St Hilda, Griffithstown

22 Kemys Street, Griffithstown NP45DJ

Access: on street parking, toilet available, steps to access

Explore:

Saturday 6th June 2pm-4pm
Wednesday 10th June 10am-12pm
Friday 12th June 5pm-7pm

&

St Oswald Sebastopol

St Oswald's Close, Sebastopol NP45DS

Access: on street parking, toilet available, level access

Events

Wednesday 10th June 10am-12pm: Morning Prayer
Wednesday 10th June 5:30pm-8pm: Cafe Church
Friday 12th June 6:30pm-8pm: Crafty Church

St James the Elder, Llanvetherine
Old Ross Road, Abergavenny NP78RD

Access: No toilets, parking in lay-by across the road.

Explore

Open Wednesdays 10th, 17th (10am-4pm)

Open weekends 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st (10am-4pm)

St Bridget, Skenfrith
5 Orchard Cl, Skenfrith, Abergavenny NP7 8UG

Access: level path from west side, small step into church on porch side, no toilet facilities.

Explore

Church Open Daily

St Cadoc, Llangattock Lingoed
Abergavenny NP78RR

Explore

Church Open Daily

St Mary's Priory, Usk
Priory St, Usk NP15 1BX

Explore

Church Open Daily

St Teilo, Llantilio Crossenny
Trothy Way, Abergavenny NP7 8SY

Access: carpark, inclined slop with handrail, small step into church, accessible toilet outside.

Explore

Church Open Daily

St Nicholas, Grosmont
B4347, Grosmont, Abergavenny NP7 8LW

Access: slope/steps with handrail down to church door, toilet in church, on street parking.

Explore

Church Open Daily

St Matthew, Monkswood
Monkswood USK NP15 1QH

Access: The church sits just off the A472 between the main road and Cefn Mawr Lane. It's hard to spot! There is a small parking area off the A472 and another off Cefn Mawr Lane. Access is level with no steps. No toilets or water.

Explore

Church Open Daily

St Mary, Llanfair Green
Upper Green, Abergavenny NP7 8PA

Explore

Church Open Daily

Bettws Chapel
Bettws, Abergavenny NP7 7LG

Explore

Church Open Daily

St Martin Cwmyoy
Cwmyoy, Abergavenny NP7 7NS

Explore

Church Open Daily

St David, Llanthony
Llanthony, Abergavenny NP7 7NN

Explore

Church Open Daily