ST Mary’s Priory Church in Abergavenny has joined a network of the UK’s most significant churches.

St Mary’s now joins 44 other churches such as Beverley Minister and Bath Abbey as a member of the Greater Churches Network - an informal association of non-cathedral churches. The network supports churches which surpass most parish churches in their size, architectural importance, visitor numbers and ministry.

St Mary’s Priory Church, a Grade 1 listed building, was founded in 1087 as a Benedictine Priory. It has an outstanding collection of effigies and also a 15th Century wooden carving, called the Jesse, which would once have been part of an even larger carving forming a Jesse Tree. It is unique in the UK and has been called one of the finest medieval sculptures in the world. Next to the Priory is the recently restored Tithe Barn, which houses exhibitions and workshops.

Canon Mark Soady, Vicar of St Mary’s, said, “This is great news for the Priory and for Abergavenny. Being a member of the Greater Churches Network will help raise our profile nationally and also give us somewhere to seek advice and share experience in running a large church. This is important because while large churches often operate much like cathedrals – with all-day opening, daily services, paid staff and on-site shops or cafes – we don’t benefit from the cathedral’s infrastructure, available expertise or its income.”

Philippa Shaw, secretary of the Greater Churches Network, encouraged other churches in Wales would apply for membership. She said, “It is a pleasure to welcome our new members and we hope to welcome the incumbents and other members of the church to our Biennial Conference in October.  The criteria for joining the network are that Churches should be a physically large building, have a significant number of visitors per year, a ministry which is wider than that of most parish churches have paid staff in addition to clergy and are open all day most days.

“The Network would be delighted to receive applications from other churches in Wales which  would like to be considered for membership.”