Swansea Minster service highlights

St Mary's Church in Swansea made history by becoming a minster in a special service earlier this month.

On 16 February 2025, former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams joined Archbishop of Wales Andrew John, bishops from across the province, civic leaders and members of the community to witness Bishop John declare the church Wales' first minster.

It will now be known as Swansea Minster, a title given to a large or important church in a urban area which serves the civic community and hosts a college of chaplains who serve the area and its people. The declaration of minster reflects the importance of the building to the city.

Archbishop Andrew John said: I just want to congratulate St Mary’s, Swansea. They are the first minster for the whole of the province and their ministry is a very particular one because the space they occupy in this wonderful city is a place in which many can find their space, a place for prayer, a place for mission and a place for engagement. As we establish the first minster within the life of the Church in Wales, it’s a wonderful occasion to bless this space, with all of the clergy, all of the people who have come together to make this happen.