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Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 1
Parish Profile
Holy Trinity Church
Gwersyllt
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 2
Alyn Deanery
Alyn deanery was formed in 2012 from two smaller deaneries (Minera and
Gresford). It consists of 12 churches in 6 parishes or groups of parishes,
situated in communities that in many cases grew up around the former collier-
ies, quarries and steelworks that once were the major employers. The par-
ishes are served by 6 incumbent clergy. The deanery has also been privileged
to be seen as good training ground for assistant curates. There are a handful
of active lay readers and a few active retired clergy. Deanery clergy meet
monthly for worship, planning and mutual support.
Aside from bi-monthly conferences, the deanery comes together for special
acts of worship and has hosted some innovative events including a “Question
Time” evening, modelled on a format piloted at the 2012 diocesan conference.
The deanery’s main year of pilgrimage event was a pilgrimage to St Asaph ca-
thedral incorporating a Eucharist in stages. In 2013 the deanery also carried
out a ministry audit of its parishes and is now working through the findings
from that. The deanery is committed to supporting study and lay training and
is currently exploring the mission area concept.
Clergy in the deanery have a range of churchmanships, interests and styles of
ministry, but share a common commitment to work together in ministry and
mission. The parish of Gwersyllt is at the geographical heart of the Alyn
deanery and the neighbouring clergy and laity look forward to welcoming and
supporting another colleague to this still relatively new team.
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 3
Holy Trinity Church
Part of the Alyn Deanery we are a parish on the edge of Wrexham town comprising
the villages of Gwersyllt, Summerhill, Rhosrobin and Bradley. In the census of 2011
the population was 10,677 of which 11.6% were Welsh speaking. Due to the excel-
lent road and rail links which the parish enjoys Gwersyllt and the surrounding area
is developing into a dormitory area to Chester, Manchester and Liverpool to the
north and Shrewsbury to the south.
The village grew rapidly with the local coal mining industry and the area was home
to several collieries. However due the reduction of mining, steel making and manu-
facturing the area saw a decline in a level of income. There is a level of deprivation
in areas across the parish.
The building is grade II listed and is in good order. In recent years we have im-
proved the facilities to include a kitchen, toilet and new central heating boiler. We
do not have a church hall or Parish office. The building is set in a churchyard which
is still active and is maintained by a part-time grounds man.
Local facilities
Gwyn Evans Sports Centre consisting of a 25 metre swimming pool and multi-use
sports hall. Gwersyllt Community Resource Centre which houses the library, func-
tion hall and meeting rooms, open six days a week. Gwersyllt Working Men’s Club,
Bradley Village Hall and Bradley Cricket Club. Alyn Waters Country Park is popular
with families and dog walkers alike.
Local Transport
Local bus service and Gwersyllt railway station provides hourly services by rail on
the Borderlands Line, southbound to Wrexham Central and northbound onto Bid-
ston, changing for Merseyrail services to Liverpool Central.
The church dedicated to the Holy Trinity is in Early Decorated style, from the
designs of Mr Thomas Penson of Oswestry (1790-1859) and comprises of
chancel and nave with a south porch and a tower at the north east angle, sur-
mounted by a spire, the base of which forms the vestry. Holy Trinity was
completed and opened its doors in 1851.
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 4
Vicarage
A Victorian house standing in a large garden planted with mature trees and
shrubs. Good state of repair with new kitchen and bathroom installed in the last
few years. Driveway leading to garage/shed ample parking.
Hall, Lounge, dining room, study, kitchen with stairs to cellar, utility room, pantry
and toilet.
Upstairs: 5 bedrooms and bathroom with shower.
Fully enclosed rear garden with access to garage, patio, apple trees, swing and
child’s playhouse.
The parsonage board plans to replace the existing old vicarage with an appropriate
modern property within the next 2 years .
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 5
Local schools
Gwersyllt Community Primary School with a capacity of 371
Ysgol Heulfan and Y Ganol with a capacity of 294
Ysgol Bryn Alyn 11—16 with a capacity of 902
All schools have links and regularly visit the church.
Ysgol Bro Alyn Welsh medium school with a capacity of 210 opened September
2013
We also have a pupil referral unit in the parish.
Care homes
Elm Villas Gwersyllt
Pendine Nursing home Summerhill
Oak Alyn Hall Cefn-y-Bedd
All have links with the church and holy communion is administered
Sheltered housing
Royal Court Gwersyllt
Also have links with the church and where a mid week service takes place dur-
ing the winter months.
Glan Aber Court Rhosrobin
Parish ministry
Reader Emeritus—1
Another person exploring reader ministry
Eucharistic ministers— 3
Pastoral assistants—5
Worship leaders—2
Retired clerics—1
No associate priests
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 6
Choir
We have an active robed choir comprises of adults and children. Choir practice is on
Wednesday evenings
Pebbles—the Tuesday Sunday School!
The children aged 5—10 meet on Tuesday term time only at Ysgol Haulfan
Messy Church
Families meet on the third Sunday of month at The Resource Centre
We have close connections with the local brownies, guides, cubs and scout groups as
there are a number of church members who are leaders in those groups.
From time to time we have bible study groups that meet in people’s houses
Finances
The parish is currently in a reasonably state as regards finance. However, expendi-
ture does exceed income from time to time and therefore judicious use of resources
in required to ensure that we do not become the Micawber of the diocese. The par-
ish share is paid to date as are all other regular out goings.
We are able to meet all reasonable expenses incurred in parish work as per the
Church in Wales guidelines.
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 7
Statistics
Population of Gwersyllt is approximately 10,677
Annual Baptisms 31
Annual Weddings 7
Annual Confirmations 4
Annual Funerals 54
Easter Communicants 70
Electoral Roll 73
Average Sunday attendances +16 35
Average Sunday attendances –16 8
We are well supported at Christmas with the number of services that we offer. The
Crib service is always well attended with the children from Pebbles taking the lead
roll. The children from Y Ganol have their own Christingle service every year.
Services
First Sunday of month 8:30 Said Eucharist 10:30 Sung Eucharist
Second Sunday of month 8:30 Said Eucharist 10:30 Family Service
Third Sunday of month 8:30 Said Eucharist 10:30 Sung Eucharist
Fourth Sunday of month 8:30 Said Eucharist 10:30 Morning Prayer
Wednesday 11:00 Said Eucharist
Services are in English
Ecumenical links
The Congregational Church also has a presence in the parish although formal links
are not strong informal links are made during social events and some services are
shared and supported by the congregation.
We are part of the Hope and District Cytun. We have links with Gwersyllt Brass
who have regularly played at the Christmas eve 11:30 services.
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 8
Our Vision
There is an awareness that change is coming and that it is fuelled by costs and the
20:20 vision. We recognise that the current model for the provision of clergy in
parishes is unsustainable but we also recognise the value of clergy in the develop-
ment and maintenance of growth of a parish and the engagement with the local com-
munity.
In 2011 census the total population of Gwersyllt was 10,677 and 63.4% of that num-
ber indicated that they were Christian with 27.8% indicating they had no faith.
However, from our attendance figures at Holy Trinity we could assume that a large
proportion of Gwersyllt Christians do not regularly attend formal worship services.
On the other hand our Messy Church services suggest that there is a desire to at-
tend a ’led’ worship.
From within Holy Trinity there is a general consensus of opinion that there is a need
to expand the role of the church in Gwersyllt. It is felt that Holy Trinity should be
at the centre of the community. Geographically, this is not possible but there are
other ways that this can be achieved by using it to best effect. Currently we use
the building for worship for approximately three hours per week, but during summer
this will increase to about four hours per week. Out Parish Share equates to £633
per week this does suggest that we should be using our building to far greater ef-
fect than we do. What is going to be our legacy to Gwersyllt, a vibrant centre of
worship and community engagement or a shell of a building that is no longer in use?
To help us establish a legacy for the community our new incumbent will be required
to work at a number of levels and the importance of prayer cannot be underesti-
mated. For our future development we need to be taught and encouraged to be more
reflective and prayerful with spiritual leadership offered by our priest.
In relation to community engagement we feel that there is a need for a visible and
active presence in the parish. We see this being achieved through involvement with
parish groups, maintaining the close relationship with all schools and ensuring our
residential and nursing homes continue to be supported.
We would expect our incumbent to continue the development of both our All Age
Service and our monthly Messy Church that is held in the Community Resource Cen-
tre. Both services offer the opportunity to reach out to those who do not regularly
attend our Eucharist and Morning Prayer Services. An important constituent part of
our worship in all services is our approach to music. In this connection we would
Holy Trinity Church Parish Profile 9
hope that our priest would help nurture our love of worship music and encourage
exploration of musical diversity.
And finally, we would like to think that our priest would become our friend and
mentor and join us in our various social activities that are held within the Parish
and Deanery.
Any further information can be obtained from:
The Area Dean: Rev. James Harris —The Vicarage, Church Road, Minera, Wrex-
ham LL11 3DA email: [email protected] Telephone: 01978 753133
The Archdeacon: The Venerable Robert H Griffiths email:
[email protected] Telephone: 01492 876152