St. Bridget's Church, Skenfrith

St Bridget’s Church stands at the northern edge of Skenfrith, a quiet village in Monmouthshire. Built mainly of Old Red Sandstone, it is an active parish church and a Grade I listed building. The earliest parts date from the reign of King John in the late 12th century. It was enlarged in the fourteenth and again in the sixteenth century. A sympathetic restoration in 1896 was followed by another in 1909–10. The church is dedicated to St Brigit, one of seventeen churches in Wales bearing her name. The church’s interior is noted for its exceptionally fine medieval fabric. The two-aisled nave and chancel lead to a west tower topped by a dovecote belfry with a pyramidal roof. Inside stands the chest tomb of John Morgan, who died in 1557. Morgan served as Member of Parliament for the Monmouth Boroughs and as last Governor of the Three Castles. A lectern of 1909 by Arts and Crafts designer George Jack holds a carved figure of St Bridget. Visitors find a calm medieval interior with clear traces of its long history. The Grade I listing highlights the quality of the surviving medieval work. The church remains in regular use for Sunday services. Its setting in the village, away from main roads, adds to the peaceful atmosphere. The combination of ancient stonework and later furnishings makes it a place where history can still be felt.