At the heart of Wales' second city

The civic church of Swansea, and the first Minster church in the history of the Church in Wales.

Swansea Minster — formally the Minster Church of St Mary with Holy Trinity — stands at the centre of Wales' second city. There has been a church on this site since the fourteenth century, and the building that stands today, extensively rebuilt after bomb damage in the Blitz of February 1941, is one of the most significant places of Christian worship in Wales.

In February 2025, the church was designated as Wales' first Minster church by the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev'd Andy John. The designation, made in a special service at the church, reflects St Mary's long-standing role as a place of civic worship and community ministry in the heart of Swansea.

A ministry of welcome

The Minster is led by Canon Justin Davies. It holds a visible, outward-facing Christian presence in the city centre — open for worship, for visitors, and for people who simply want somewhere quiet to sit. Its ministry extends beyond Sunday services to weekday use of the building, community partnerships, and a café that serves both congregation and city.

Church Growth Fund support is helping the Minster develop sustainable patterns of worship, extend its weekday programme, improve welcome and visibility, and build volunteer capacity as it continues to grow.

"A great day for Swansea and a great day for St Mary's… This is wonderful for Swansea, wonderful for the Church's profile here."

Bishop Rowan Williams, Minster Making Day

A building of exceptional quality

The Minster contains one of the finest collections of twentieth and twenty-first century stained glass in Wales. Windows by Edward Liddall Armitage, John Piper, Kuni Kajiwara and others line the nave and chapels — among them Piper's celebrated abstract lancet windows in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, installed in 1965 alongside a dorsal painting by Peter Courtier of the Royal Opera House.

The tower houses eight bells cast by John Taylor & Co in 1959. Above the west door, a carving of Christ in majesty by Nicholls of Lambeth looks out across the city.

Visiting the Minster

The Minster is open to visitors and welcomes people of all backgrounds. For service times, events and visitor information, see the Swansea Minster website.

Visit the Swansea Minster website