The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon is a Diocese of the Church in Wales, established in 1923 with Brecon Priory as the cathedral. The area of the diocese had formerly been the Archdeaconry of Brecon within the Diocese of St Davids. The diocese has a border with each of the other five Welsh dioceses, as well as with the English Diocese of Hereford. Edward Latham Bevan was made Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of St Davids as Bishop of Swansea in 1915, and in 1923 he was elected as the first Bishop of the new diocese.

The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon

After the 9th Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Davies retired on 2nd May 2021, the process of electing a new bishop began. After the electoral college held at St Mary's Church, Swansea was unable to elect a bishop with the requisite two-thirds majority, it fell to the Bench of Bishops to choose a new bishop. On the 4th November 2021 the Bench announced that they had chosen the Archdeacon of Wrexham, John Lomas to be the 10th Bishop of Swansea and Brecon. This election was confirmed at a Sacred Synod held at St Giles' Church, Wrexham on 22 November 2021.

Senior clergy in the diocese

The current Dean of Brecon is Paul Shackerley. The current Archdeacons of the diocese are: Peter Brooks was collated Archdeacon with responsibility for Ministry Areas on 17 December 2022.

Archdeaconries and deaneries

The original deaneries were Brecon I, Brecon II, Crickhowell, Hay, Builth, Maelienydd, Swansea, Cwmtawe, Gower, Clyne, Penderi, Llwchwr and Knighton.

List of churches

APC = ancient parish church; MC = medieval chapelry.

Archdeaconry of Brecon

Black Mountains Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Betws, Boughrood, Bronllys, Capel-Y-Ffin, Cathedine, Clyro, Glasbury All Saints, Glasbury St Peter, Hay, Llandefalle, Llanfihangel Talyllyn, Llanfilo, Llangasty Talyllyn, Llangorse, Llanigon, Llanstephen, Llanywern, Llowes, Llyswen, Talachddu and Talgarth. It is named after the Black Mountains. It has an estimated population of c. 9,200. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, three Priests and two Assistant Curates (one of whom is also the Archdeacon). 1original dedication to St Cynidr 2original dedication to St Maelog

Brecon and Epynt Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberyskir, Bettws, Brecon St David or Llanfaes, Brecon St Mary, Cantref, Crai, Defynnog, Dyffryn Honddu, Llanddew, Llandefaelog Fach, Llandilo'r Fan, Llanfeugan, Llanfihangel Fechan, Llanfihangel Nantbran, Llanfrynach, Llanhamlach, Llanilltyd, Llansantffraed-Juxta-Usk, Llanspyddid, Llanthetty, Llanulid, Llywel, Merthyr Cynog, Penpont, Rhydybriw, Traean-Glas and Trallwng. It is named after Brecon and Mynydd Epynt. It has an estimated population of c. 11,500. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Priests and two Assistant Curates. 1original dedication to Holy Trinity 2original dedication to St Cynidr 3original dedication to St Illtyd

East Radnor Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Beguildy, Bleddfa, Bryngwyn, Cascob, Colva, Crugybyddar, Evancoyd, Gladestry, Heyope, Knighton, Llanddewi Fach, Llanfihangel Nantmelan, Llangynllo, New Radnor, Newchurch, Norton, Painscastle, Pilleth and Whitton. It has an estimated population of 5,544. As of September 2024 it was served by one Priest.

Irfon, Wye and Edw Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberedw, Alltmawr, Bettws Disserth, Beulah, Builth Wells, Cregrina, Crickadarn, Glascombe, Gwenddwr, Llanbadarn y Garreg, Llanddewi, Llanddewi'r Cwm, Llandeilo Graban, Llandulais-in-Tir-Abad, Llanelwedd, Llanfaredd, Llanfechan, Llanfihangel Abergwessin, Llangammarch, Llanganten, Llangynog, Llanlleonfel, Llansantffraed-in-Elwel, Llanwrtyd, Llanwrtyd Wells, Llanynys, Maesmynis and Rhulen. It is named after the Rivers Irfon, Wye and Edw. It has an estimated population of 6,946. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, three Priests and one Assistant Curate. 1original dedication to St Gwrtyd 2original dedication to St Elwedd

Pen y Glyn Ministry Area

This was formed by the merger of the parishes of Cefn Coed, Penderyn, Pontneathvaughan, Vaynor and Ystradfellte. It is named after the Heads of the Valleys. It has an estimated population of 4,861. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader/House for Duty Priest.

St Catwg Ministry Area

This was formed in 2015 by the merger of the parishes of Brynmawr, Bwlch, Crickhowell, Cwmdu, Glangrwyney, Llanbedr Ystrad Yw, Llanelli, Llangattock, Llangenni, Llangynidr, Patricio and Tretower. It is named after Saint Cadoc or Catwg, to whom the church at Llangattock is dedicated. It has an estimated population of c. 16,000. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, one Priest and two Assistant Curates. 1dedicated to St Cynidr alone until c. 1100

The Cathedral Ministry Area

This was formed from the parish of Brecon St John the Evangelist. It has an estimated population of c. 2,000. As of September 2024 it was served by one Dean, one Canon Precentor and one Minor Canon.

West Radnor Ministry Area

This was formed by the merger of the parishes of Abbey Cwmhir, Cefnllys, Cwmbach Llechryd, Cwmdauddwr, Diserth, Howey, Llanafan Fawr, Llananno, Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Llanbister, Llanddewi Ystradenni, Llandegley, Llandrindod, Llanfihangel Brynpabuan, Llanfihangel Helygen, Llanfihangel Rhydithon, Llanwrthwl, Llanyre, Nantmel, Newbridge-on-Wye, Rhayader, St Harmon and Ysfa. It has an estimated population of 14,794. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and two Priests (one also a Mission Hub Leader). 1originally dedicated to St Cynllo

Archdeaconry of Gower

Afon Tawe Ministry Area

This was formed in June 2023 by the union of the parishes of Birchgrove, Glais, Llangyfelach SS David & Cyfelach, Llangyfelach St Teilo, Llansamlet and Morriston. It is named after the River Tawe and was originally called Tawe Isaf. It has an estimated population of c. 39,000. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Priest. 1original dedication to St Cyfelach

Cwmtawe Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Abercraf, Callwen, Coelbren, Clydach, Llangiwg/Llanguick, Pontardawe, Trebanos, Ystalyfera and Ystradgynlais. It is named after the valley of the River Tawe and was originally called Tawe Uchaf. It has an estimated population of 31,519. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, one Priest and two Assistant Curates. 1dedicated to St Callwen until 1964 2also called St Michael & All Saints

Gower Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bishopston, Cheriton, Gwernffrwd, Ilston, Killay St Hilary, Killay St Martin, Knelston, Llanddewi, Llangennith, Llanmadoc, Llanrhidian, Llanyrnewydd, Nicholaston, Oxwich, Penclawdd, Penmaen, Pennard, Penrice, Port Eynon, Reynoldston, Rhossili and Tycoch. It is named after the Gower Peninsula. It has an estimated population of c. 26,500. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, one Vicar, two Priests, two Assistant Curates and one House for Duty Priest. 1original dedication to St Rhidian 2occasional services still held

Llwchwr Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Gorseinon, Gowerton, Llandeilo Tal-Y-Bont St Michael, Llandeilo Tal-Y-Bont St Teilo, Loughor St David, Loughor St Michael, Penllergaer, Pontlliw and Waunarllwydd. It is named after the town of Loughor. It has an estimated population of 41,934. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and four Priests (one also a Mission Hub Leader).

Mumbles Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llwynderw Clyne Chapel, Llwynderw Holy Cross, Newton and Oystermouth. It is named after the Mumbles headland. It has an estimated population of 16,445. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Priests and two Assistant Curates.

Penderi Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Caereithin, Cockett, Cwmbwrla, Landore, Manselton, Treboeth and Ystrad Road. It is named after Penderry community. It has an estimated population of 47,321. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Priest.

Swansea Ministry Area

This was formed by the union of the parishes of Glantawe, Hafod, Kilvey, Sketty Holy Trinity, Sketty St Paul, Swansea Christ Church, Swansea Holy Trinity, Swansea St Barnabas, Swansea St Gabriel, Swansea St James, Swansea St Mary, Swansea St Nicholas & St Jude, Swansea St Stephen and Swansea St Thomas. It is named after Swansea. It has an estimated population of c. 65,500+. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, five Priests (one also a Mission Hub Leader) and two Assistant Curates. 1originally dedicated to St John

Dedications

Medieval churches (chapelries in italics)

Post-medieval churches