After the great success of A Church Near You in 2023, Denis Dunstone has followed up with a volume of Welsh churches. Featuring a foreword from Bishop Rowan Williams, A Church Near You in Wales is an introduction to the nation’s medieval church buildings, complete with more than one hundred watercolour illustrations. Find out what inspired Denis to paint Welsh churches and what he loves about them.
You can order the book directly from the National Churches Trust here
Denis Dunstone’s project of illustrating medieval churches started in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I would go out with a campstool, pen and paper and sit there in the midst of nature, painting in watercolours,” shared Denis.
The hobby led to Denis publishing a booklet of 50 local churches, and then A Church Near You, which featured several hundred churches painted in watercolour. Thematically arranged chapters introduced readers to English churches, covering everything from doorways and towers to their layouts.
Following the success of A Church Near You, Denis Dunstone set about illustrating medieval churches in Wales.
A Church Near You in Wales features more than one hundred of these watercolours, alongside a guide to the regional differences and historical context of these places of worship.
Wales has a unique tradition of church buildings. The earliest evidence of Christian practice in Wales is from the fifth century, and these churches are usually found in remote areas, surrounded by natural landscape.
“Smaller Welsh churches were normally dedicated to a local saintly person,” explains Denis.
“These small churches are often secluded and have become part of the countryside. They have a special atmosphere. More than in England, in Wales the location is part of the church.”
The tranquillity of Wales' medieval church buildings was an inspiration to Denis, and this special atmosphere is captured by his paintings in the pages of A Church Near You in Wales.
Wales has a long and unique history of churches. Just under a thousand churches in Wales are considered to be medieval. But like churches all over the UK, many are struggling to stay open. Some have closed and others face huge pressure to remain open.
“The Friends of Friendless Churches and the National Churches Trust have been a godsend. Both of these organisations work tirelessly to keep churches and their history alive,” says Denis Dunstone.
As part of the Cherish project, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the National Churches Trust have a local support officer working in Wales to help churches, chapels and meeting houses to remain open and in use. This is alongside our work across the UK.
Churches in every corner of the UK are at risk of closing for good if urgent action is not taken. In Wales, 25 per cent of historic churches and chapels have closed in the last decade. But with this book, Denis Dunstone hopes that more people will be engaged in the maintenance and protection of these brilliant buildings, so they are still here for future generations to enjoy.
You can order your copy of A Church Near You in Wales from us, to help support churches in Wales and across the UK.
In 2023 and 2024, we awarded Bettws Newydd St Aeddan’s £65,000 worth of grants from the National Churches Trust and the Wolfson Foundation, to help carry out urgent roof repairs. The work will keep this Grade I Listed building watertight and in good condition for years to come.
In 2022, we awarded Llanfihangel Y Creuddyn St Michael Church funding to help them carry out tower repairs. The church also won the Friends Vote at the 2022 National Church Awards, which meant they received an extra £10,000 to help complete the project. The church now runs exciting tower tours.
In 2024, we awarded Tywyn St Cadfan Church A £10,000 National Churches Trust grant and an £8,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation. The funding will help the church to tackle dry rot in the flooring and the kitchen.
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have a dedicated support officer, based in Wales, who is on hand to help you with advice and training. Find out how our support could help your church to remain open and in use for years to come.
St Michael Church in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn in Wales got turned down for a large grant that would help save their tower. But being rejected ended up being the best thing for the church and the local community. Find out what happened next.
