St Asaph Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Saints Asaph and Cyndeyrn, commonly known as St Asaph Cathedral, is an important ecclesiastical site located in the city of St Asaph, Denbighshire, in north Wales. It serves as the episcopal seat for the Bishop of St Asaph within the Church in Wales. The cathedral's history is deeply rooted, with origins stretching back approximately 1,400 years to a church founded on or near its present location. While the exact founding date is subject to varying historical accounts, it is often attributed to Saint Kentigern or Saint Elwy in the 6th century, with Saint Asa (or Asaph) following later.

History and Architecture

The earliest surviving parts of the current cathedral structure date from the 13th century. This phase of construction began after the original stone cathedral was destroyed by soldiers of King Edward I during the Second Welsh War in 1282. Plans had previously existed to relocate the see to Rhuddlan, supported by Bishop Anian, but these were abandoned following the conflict. The cathedral later suffered further damage during the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr, leading to a significant portion of the building being ruined for seventy years. The present edifice was largely rebuilt during the reign of Henry Tudor and subsequently underwent substantial restoration in the 19th century.

Significant Figures and Events

St Asaph Cathedral has been associated with several notable historical figures. Geoffrey of Monmouth, the chronicler and Bishop of St Asaph, held the position from 1152 to 1155, though historical conditions may have prevented him from residing in his see. A pivotal figure in Welsh cultural history, William Morgan, served as Bishop of St Asaph and later Llandaff; he is celebrated for his monumental achievement of translating the entire Bible into Welsh from its original Greek and Hebrew. His Welsh Bible is a treasured artifact, publicly displayed within the cathedral. More recently, A. G. Edwards, the first Archbishop of Wales, was appointed Bishop of St Asaph in 1889.

The cathedral's modern history includes a notable structural event in 1930 when its tower experienced significant subsidence. The cause was identified as a subterranean stream, necessitating urgent and extensive repairs overseen by architect Charles Marriott Oldrid Scott, which were completed by 1935. In 2018, the cathedral faced financial pressures that led to the controversial redundancy of its music staff, though the position of Director of Music was later re-established, and the choir continues to sing services.