The Diocese of Monmouth is a diocese of the Church in Wales. Despite the name, its cathedral is located not in Monmouth but in Newport — the Cathedral Church of St Woolos. Reasons for not choosing the title of Newport included the existence of a Catholic Bishop of Newport until 1916. This apparent anomaly arose in 1921 when the diocese was created (from the eastern part of the Diocese of Llandaff) with no location for the cathedral yet chosen. Various options were being considered, such as restoring Tintern Abbey, building from scratch on Ridgeway Hill in Newport, and (the eventual choice) upgrading St Woolos, then a parish church; in the meantime the new diocese, as it covers more or less the territory of the county of Monmouth, was named the "Diocese of Monmouth". Prior to 1921 the area had been the archdeaconry of Monmouth. It is headed by Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth. She was elected the eleventh bishop in September 2019 and enthroned in Newport Cathedral on 1 February 2020. In its own words, the diocese "covers the south east corner of Wales, from Monmouth south to Chepstow, westwards along the 'M4 corridor' to Newport and the outskirts of Cardiff, northwards into the south eastern valleys and east into the rural areas around Usk, Raglan, Abergavenny and the Herefordshire border". It covers the entire historic county of Monmouthshire, plus the ancient parish of Llanedeyrn (which was in the historic county of Glamorgan), minus a few areas on the Wales-England border (Dixton, Llangua and Welsh Bicknor). In local government terms, the territory of the diocese covers the unitary authority areas of:

Archdeaconries and deaneries

At the Diocesan Conference, October 2017, the creation of a third archdeaconry — Gwent Valleys — from the two deaneries of Bedwellty and of Pontypool, was approved.

List of archdeacons

Archdeacons of Monmouth

The archdeaconry of Monmouth was erected, from the Llandaff archdeaconry, in the Diocese of Llandaff on 6 February 1844. Ian Kendall Rees (born 1966) was collated Archdeacon of Monmouth on 20 June 2021. He trained for the ministry at St Michael's College, Llandaff and served his title (curacy) at Barry; he was made deacon at Petertide 2000 (24 June) and ordained priest the following Petertide (30 June 2001) — both times by Barry Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff, at Llandaff Cathedral. He served as an associate priest in Cardiff until 2005, then priest-in-charge near Bridgend, before moving to the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon in 2010. Rees served in several incumbencies there along with diocesan roles and both honorary and residentiary canonries of the cathedral before his move to Monmouth as archdeacon and Director of Ministry and Discipleship.

Archdeacons of Newport

The archdeaconry of Newport was created from the Monmouth archdeaconry in 1930.

Archdeacons of the Gwent Valleys

The archdeaconry was erected from Newport archdeaconry in 2018. Stella Bailey (born 1976) was collated Archdeacon of the Gwent Valleys on 19 June 2022. She first studied theology at Westhill College, Birmingham, then worked in factories before joining West Midlands Police. Bailey trained for the ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon and received orders in the Church of England: she was made deacon at Petertide 2009 (5 July) — by Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, at Coventry Cathedral — and ordained priest the following Petertide (3 July 2010) by John Stroyan, Bishop of Warwick, at Coventry Cathedral. Her title post (curacy) was at Walsgrave on Sowe, after which she served as Vicar of St Mary Magdalen, Coventry. Her last post before becoming archdeacon was at Kenilworth, where she also became Area Dean. In Monmouth diocese, Bailey serves as both Archdeacon and Director of Mission.

List of churches

APC = ancient parish church; MC = medieval chapel.

Archdeaconry of Monmouth

Abergavenny Town and Villages Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Abergavenny Holy Trinity, Abergavenny St Mary, Govilon, Llanelen, Llanfoist and Llanwenarth Citra. It has an estimated population of 14,479. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader. 1previously Abergavenny Priory; became the parish church at the Dissolution

Heart of Monmouthshire Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Llanddewi Fach and Llanhennock. It has an estimated population of 11,801. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Vicar.

Monmouth or Monmouth Marches Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Cwmcarvan, Dingestow, Llandogo, Llanfihangel Tor-Y-Mynydd, Llanfihangel-Ystern-Llewern, Llangattock-Vibon-Avel, Llangovan, Llangunnog, Llanishen, Llansoy, Michel Troy, Monmouth, Overmonnow, Penallt, Penyclawdd, Rockfield, St Maughan's, Tintern Parva, Tregaer, Trellech, Trellech Grange, Whitebrook Chapel and Wonastow. It has an estimated population of 15,483. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Vicar.

Netherwent Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Caerwent, Caldicot Rectorial Benefice, Dinham, Llandevaud, Llanvaches, Llanvair Discoed, Magor Rectorial Benefice, Penhow and St Brides Netherwent. It has an estimated population of 31,844. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, one Vicar and two Associate Priests. 1monthly services continue in the village hall 2original dedication to St Hilary 3original dedication to St Michael

North Monmouthshire Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Bettws Chapel, Cwmyoy, Grosmont, Llanarth, Llanddewi Rhyderch, Llanddewi Skirrid, Llanfair Chapel, Llanfihangel Crucorney, Llangattock-Juxta-Usk, Llangattock Lingoed, Llansantffraed, Llanthony, Llantilio Crossenny, Llantilio Pertholey, Llanvapley, Llanvetherine, Oldcastle, Penrhos and Skenfrith. It has an estimated population of 8,429. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Vicar.

Severn Wye Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Chepstow, Devauden, Itton, Kilgwrrwg, Mathern, Mounton, Newchurch, Penterry, St Arvans, St Pierre and Shirenewton. It has an estimated population of 16,326. As of November 2024 it was served by two Vicars. 1no dedication before 1980s

Archdeaconry of the Gwent Valleys

Cwmbran Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Cwmbran and Llanfrechfa. It has an estimated population of 50,472. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Vicars and one Associate Priest.

Islwyn Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Lower Islwyn and Upper Islwyn. It has an estimated population of 69,489. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, three Vicars and one Associate Priest.

Mid Torfaen Ministry Area

This was formed from the parish of Mid Torfaen. It has an estimated population of 37,768. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Vicar.

Mynydd Bedwellte Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Rhymney, Tredegar and Upper Islwyn. It has an estimated population of 36,071. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, one Associate Vicar and one Assistant Curate.

St Illtyd Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Abertillery, Blaenavon, Capel Newydd, Cwmtillery, Llanhilleth, Six Bells and Upper Ebbw Valleys. It was formerly known as the Upper Eastern Valleys Ministry Area. It has an estimated population of 58,649. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader. 1original dedication to St Anne

Archdeaconry of Newport

Beechwood Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Caerleon, Newport Christ Church, Newport Maindee, Newport St Andrew, Newport St Julian and Newport St Teilo. It has an estimated population of 63,831. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Vicars and one Associate Priest.

East Cardiff Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Cyncoed, Llanrumney, Rumney and St Mellons. It has an estimated population of 75,380. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and three Vicars. 1in the ancient county of Glamorgan, not Monmouthshire

Mountain and Marsh Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Bedwas, Machen, Marshfield, Michaelston-Y-Fedw, Rudry and St Bride's Wentloog. It has an estimated population of 17,845. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.

Newport Cathedral Ministry Area

This was formed from the parish of Newport St Woolos. It has an estimated population of. As of November 2024 it was served by one Dean and two Residentiary Canons.

Newport North West Ministry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Bettws, Malpas, Newport All Saints, Newport Maesglas and Newport St Mark. It has an estimated population of 36,713. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Vicars and one Associate Priest.

Tredegar Park Minstry Area

This was formed from the parishes of Bassaleg, Maesglas St Thomas, Newport St John the Baptist and The Gaer. It has an estimated population of 42,023. As of November 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Vicars and one Assistant Curate.

Dedications

Medieval churches (chapelries in italics)

Post-medieval churches