Three churches in north Wales are finalist in the prestigious National Church Awards, known as the BAFTAs for churches.

Holy Trinity Church in Trefnant is one of 12 churches across the UK to be shortlisted for the Church Volunteer Awards. St Nefydd and St Mary in Llannefydd, along with St Peter’s in Llanbedr, are finalists in the Church Tourism Awards.

The awards celebrate the amazing stories churches tell in all sorts of different ways – from their beautiful buildings to the dedicated volunteers who keep them open, to the ways in which they serve their local community. The winners will be announced during a special lunch in London in November.

The congregation of St Nefydd and St Mary’s Church in Llannefydd, near Denbigh, have spent a year organising several events in the church, setting up a bilingual display about ‘the Mother of Wales’, Katheryn of Berain, and ensuring the building is open every day, offering a ‘Pilgrims’ Pod’ for refreshments.

The Chair of Llannefydd Church Friends, Sarah Tebbit, said: “’We are absolutely thrilled to reach the final of the NCT Tourism Award. Llannefydd Church is noteworthy in its setting, its architectural beauty and its fascinating history. It is an anchor in our small village community and provides a unique experience on many levels to its visitors. Whether you are looking for a tranquil space for prayer and reflection, have an interest in social history and medieval architecture, or just need somewhere to rest your weary feet, this is the place to come. We are committed to ensuring that our beautiful church survives and continues to be a thriving and meaningful centre for the community, and for all who visit us from further afield, by reaching out in diverse ways to promote the spiritual well-being of all.”

The church is open from 10am to 4pm every day, and the congregation warmly welcomes anyone to Sunday services, at 9.30am on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.

The Cyfeilion Eglwys Llannefydd (Friends of Llannefydd Church) group was set up in 2022 to promote an appreciation of the history of Llannefydd Church and to coordinate fundraising for the maintenance and repair costs of the building. The church has a bilingual at www.llannefyddfriends.org

Also a finalist in that category is St Peter’s Church in Llanbedr, near Ruthin. The church has become the first in Wales to receive a gold Eco-Church Award from A-Rocha UK.  St Peter’s recently re-opened having undergone a re-ordering and now includes a kitchen area and toilets.

In its submission to the National Church Awards, the congregation said: “The church is never closed, the door is always open and fresh coffee and cakes are available whenever you like. The churchyard is managed for wildflowers with secluded spaces, plenty of seating and even a lavender planted labyrinth. Inside we’ve recently re-ordered. The open space gives an opportunity to sit and enjoy the light dancing across the floor through the stunning stained glass.” In 2022, St Peter’s hosted the diocesan Eco-Fest and you can watch a film about the event at https://youtu.be/7h6SAwBbYNs?si=tLbBUPQxvLMfrCv8

Holy Trinity Church in Trefnant is one of two churches in Wales shortlisted for the Volunteer Award. In its submission, the congregation said: “The team of volunteers in Holy Trinity are a warm, engaging and welcoming community of people. They are incredibly enthusiastic and willing to try their hand at anything the vicar might throw at them, as well as coming up with their own exciting ideas. The team make a big difference to the church and are having a growing impact on the community.

“Prayers and Bears was initially our service, with crafts, toys and a coffee morning, for babies who had been born in the village during Covid, who had never seen anyone outside of their own families. We now often see over 25 children. We run a book club, a youth group, hold village events and collect for the local foodbank.”

In 2022, three churches from the diocese scooped top awards at the National Church Awards. St Paul’s Church in Rhosesmor which runs The Outpost, a community shop, was the overall winner of the Church and Community Volunteer Award, beating other churches from England, Scotland and north Ireland.

St Saeran Church in Llanynys near Ruthin was the country winner for Wales in the Open for Visitors Award (Tourism Award). Ss Deiniol and Marcella in Marchwiel near Wrexham was the country winner for Wales in the Excellence in Church Maintenance Award.

The Diocese of St Asaph looks after more than 200 churches and 50 schools across north-east and mid-Wales. It stretches from Llandudno in the west to Newtown in the south and is bordered by the River Conwy to the west and the border with England to the east. It is one of the six dioceses making up the Church in Wales, an autonomous Province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.