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St Deiniol Church, Marchwiel
St Deiniol Church, Marchwiel
St. Deiniol’s Church, originally known as Deiniol’s Chapel, has stood for over 1000 years, dating back to Celtic Christianity. The medieval church appears in 13th-century tax records and was rebuilt during the Tudor era.
Key Facts
- Location: Marchwiel, Wrexham, Wales
- Denomination: Church of England
- Grade: Grade II
- Architectural Style: Georgian
- Date Built: 1773
- Restoration: Ongoing
Overview
St. Deiniol’s Church, originally known as Deiniol’s Chapel, has stood for over 1000 years, dating back to Celtic Christianity and serving as an outpost of the Bangor on Dee monastery. The medieval church appears in 13th-century tax records and was rebuilt during the Tudor era.
In 1773, under churchwarden Philip York I, stonemason William Worral rebuilt the church in sandstone, inspired by Sir Christopher Wren. The nave and chancel were completed by 1774, the tower in 1789, the north transept in 1829, and the tower clock in 1892. The church is Grade II listed.
The interior reflects Georgian elegance, with the south wall adorned with Yorke family memorials by renowned sculptors. The center window, from 1778, displays Yorke heraldic emblems. The family crypt lies beneath the church, with an entrance marked by metal railings outside. The churchyard features a large sandstone Celtic Cross marking other Yorke family graves.
The pipe organ, donated in 1888 by Benjamin Piercy’s widow, was restored in 2011. The church clock, made by Joyce and Co. in 1892, was refurbished in 2015. The oak box pews were replaced with pitch pine in 1923, and the distinctive peal of eight bells was installed in 1930, refurbished in 2010. A framed description of the bells is displayed at the back of the church.
The churchyard includes seats, gardens, pathways, spring flowers, and notable memorials. Inside, leaflets provide tours and historical information for visitors.
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