Crown festival celebrates Jubilee

A giant handmade replica of the St Edward’s Crown is the centre-piece of a Crown Festival at St Giles’ Church in Wrexham marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

The crown, which is suspended from the bell tower, is eight foot wide and has been decorated by members of the church congregation. A further 100 smaller crowns made by schools, community groups and the congregation are on display around the church.

The St Edward Crown is the crown used at the moment of coronation. It was made for Charles II in 1661, as a replacement for the medieval crown which was thought to date back to the eleventh-century royal saint, Edward the Confessor.

The festival, which follows on from the highly successful Angel Festival during Advent and Christmas 2021, is open until the end of August.

The Vicar of St Giles, Canon Jason Bray, said, “The crown festival celebrates the Queen's Jubilee and her faith which has inspired so many people. But it also reminds us that kingship derives from Christ, the King of Kings.

“The large St Edward Crown was made and decorated by members of the church community, but David Lambert who is a design and technology teacher from St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School has been the prime mover. Other crowns have been made by children from St Giles’ Church in Wales Primary School, local Guides and Cubs groups, children from church, and talented members of the church community. They include a crown of thorns, knitted tea cosy crowns, and some very creative technology and history crowns from the school children.

“It all makes for a stunning spectacular in the church which we hope will attract many visitors, just like our Angel Festival."

St Giles Church is open Monday to Friday from 10am until 4pm for visitors and on Sundays for service. Everyone is welcome and there’s no charge for admission to the Festival of Crowns.

To find out more, please contact the Parish Office on 01978 355808 or office@wrexhamparish.org.uk