Parish & worship
Tithe Barn 
Holywell Community
Welcome to ST MARY'S PRIORY, Abergavenny
For over one thousand years, we have served the people of Abergavenny and the surrounding area – after the model of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The website shows how we currently serve the community, and a little about our history. It is not intended as a replacement for actually visiting us, which we hope you will want to do after exploring our website. At the heart of our mission and witness is the worship of God. In fulfilling the commandments of Jesus Christ, we seek to be a Eucharist-centred community where people of all ages are able to participate fully in the Body of Christ. Whether you are visiting our site as a fellow Christian, an historian, or for commercial reasons, the people of St Mary's say welcome.
Whats on at St Mary's Priory
St Mary's Priory, and the Garden of Remembrance,are usually open between 10.00am and 2.00pm Monday to Saturday ,which are our core hours. See pew leaflet for services.
The Parish Office is usually open during the core hours of 10.00am and 2.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please phone 01873 858787 before visiting to ensure the Priory will be open for visitors. Do leave a message and we will return your call as soon as we are able t,
Revd Lea Ryder is the Rector of Abergavenny and Ministry Area Leader.
There are currently three services each Sunday in the Priory; Said Eucharist at 8.00am, sung Priory Eucharist at 11.00am and Choral Evensong at 5.00 pm (Evensong takes place at Christchurch North Street on the 1st Sunday of the month). The weekly services can be found on the Pew Leaflet. St Mary's Priory is open during the week for those who wish to pray and spend time in quiet before God from 10.00am - 2.00pm on Monday to Friday and 10.00am until 3.00pm on Saturday.
Visitors are welcome to view the antiquities and historic tombs whilst the work is ongoing.
A contactless payment system is available for donations in the church.
We are tremendously grateful to all who are enabling this to happen by stewarding and cleaning.
The Memorial Garden at St Mary’s will be open at the same times as the church to allow people to tend and visit graves.
We publish a list of events planned for the coming months, and will update the list of cancellations as they are decided. Find out more...
You can read here The Church in Wales Coronavirus (Covid 19) policy
Priory Church at St Mary's Priory
The Church, described as the "Westminster Abbey of Wales", attracts thousands of visitors each year who come to view the fine collection of historic monuments, medieval carvings or simply to seek a quiet place for contemplation and prayer.
The Church faces outwards to the community and welcomes a wide range of schools and group activities.
The Tithe Barn at St Mary's Priory
Access at present to the Tapestry and exihibits in the Tithe Barn is between the hours of 10.00am and 2.00pm, which are our core hours.
The restored Tithe Barn explains and interprets the history of the Priory Church through interactive exhibitions and activities for both children and adults, whilst the Learning Service workshops enable school children to explore the Tudor life with hands on living history.
The magnificent Abergavenny Tapestry, hand stitched by Abergavenny residents, celebrates the history of the town.
The Barn also houses the Studio of our Artist in Residence, Jez Thomas.
The Priory Centre at St Mary's Priory
The history, hospitality and incomparable setting of St Mary’s Priory make it an ideal venue for wedding receptions and celebrations and provides a meeting place for groups.
The conference rooms, with state of the art facilities, make it the perfect place for creativity and problem solving.