History of the Diocese — Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Heritage

A Century of Faith and Service

The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon stands as one of the youngest dioceses in the Church in Wales, yet its story is deeply rooted in the rich spiritual heritage of Wales. From its formation in 1923 to the present day, our diocese has served as a bridge between ancient tradition and modern mission.

Key Moments

1914

Welsh Church Act

Parliament passes the Welsh Church Act, providing for disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales. Implementation delayed by the First World War.

31 March 1920

Disestablishment

The Church in Wales becomes independent from the Church of England, ending centuries of establishment and creating a self-governing Anglican province.

1923

Diocese Founded

The Diocese of Swansea and Brecon is established, carved from the ancient Diocese of St Davids, with Brecon Priory as its cathedral.

1923–1934

First Bishop

Edward Latham Bevan becomes the inaugural Bishop, having previously served as suffragan Bishop of Swansea since 1915.

1930

Friends Established

The Friends of Brecon Cathedral founded by Bishop Bevan to support the ancient cathedral church and its ministry.

2021

New Leadership

John Lomas appointed as 10th Bishop, bringing experience from Royal Navy service and parish ministry to lead the diocese forward.

The Story of Our Formation

Our diocese emerged from one of the most significant moments in Welsh ecclesiastical history—the disestablishment of 1920 and the birth of an independent Church in Wales.

The Path to Disestablishment

For seventy years, Welsh Liberals and Nonconformists campaigned for disestablishment. By the 19th century, the majority of Welsh Christians were Nonconformists, yet they still paid tithes to support the established Anglican Church.

The Welsh Church Act 1914 finally achieved this goal, though its implementation was delayed by the First World War until 31 March 1920.

Creating New Dioceses

When the Church in Wales gained independence in 1920, it initially comprised four ancient dioceses. However, the church soon recognised the need for better pastoral oversight in rapidly changing communities.

Two new dioceses were created: Monmouth in 1921, and Swansea and Brecon in 1923, reflecting the distinct needs of industrial South Wales and rural mid-Wales.

Our Unique Geography

The new diocese brought together territory from Breconshire, Radnorshire, and western Glamorgan—areas that had previously formed the Archdeaconry of Brecon within St Davids.

This created a diocese of remarkable diversity, spanning from Welsh-speaking rural communities to the industrial heartland of Swansea, making us truly representative of modern Wales.

Our Episcopal Leaders

Since 1923, ten bishops have served this diocese, each bringing their own gifts to our communities.

Our first bishop, Edward Latham Bevan (1923–1934), was born in Weymouth and educated at Hertford College, Oxford. He had previously served as suffragan Bishop of Swansea from 1915 before becoming our inaugural diocesan bishop. A devoted churchman, he established the Friends of Brecon Cathedral and laid the foundations for our diocesan life.

John Davies, our ninth bishop (2008–2021), served with particular distinction, holding the position of Archbishop of Wales whilst leading our diocese. His retirement in May 2021 marked the end of an era of significant growth and development.

Our current bishop, John Lomas, was appointed in 2021. A former Royal Navy aircraft engineer who served in the Falklands War, he brings a unique perspective to ministry, having previously served as Archdeacon of Wrexham.

Our Diocese Today

Today, the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon covers 1,316 square miles and serves around 200 churches across some of the most beautiful countryside in Wales. We stretch from the rural communities of Powys to the urban energy of Swansea and the spectacular Gower Peninsula.

Our diocese has undergone significant reorganisation in recent years, moving from traditional parish structures to innovative Ministry Areas that better serve our diverse communities. This reflects our ongoing commitment to adapt and evolve whilst maintaining our core mission of worship, service, and witness.

We remain a diocese of two centres—the historic cathedral town of Brecon and the modern city of Swansea—each bringing their own character and contributions to our shared life and mission.