All Saints Church, Ffynnongroyw
All Saints Church, Ffynnongroyw
This modestly proportioned church was completed in 1882. It is the last of many churches designed by the celebrated Victorian architect George Edmund Street. He designed it in 1881, the year of his death, and never got to see the finished building. The font in the church was also designed by him.
His other works include the Royal Courts of Justice in London, the American Cathedral in Paris, and the Crimean memorial church in Istanbul. He had been an assistant to Sir George Gilbert Scott, and his own disciples – including William Morris – went on to lead the Arts & Crafts movement.
The church was opened with the creation of Ffynnongroyw parish. Previously the area had been part of Llanasa parish, but population growth justified a separate church and parish for Ffynnongroyw. Today All Saints Church is in the parish of Llanasa and Ffynnongroyw.
In 1904 the vicar, the Rev Howell Harris, took legal action against two members of his own congregation! Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd, sitting at Holywell County Court, was told that the parishioners had started a fund to buy an organ for All Saints Church. The vicar disapproved, as the church was £300 in debt at the time. Later he was unable to get clear information on the amount which had been raised, and asked the judge for the money to be paid into court or a bank. The judge said the court couldn’t prevent people fundraising or a worthy cause and the case was dropped.
In 2011 members of the church and local community began a project to turn 3,000 square metres of overgrown land behind the church into a community forest garden, with support from the Flintshare co-operative. The site was cleared of poplar trees, brambles and hemp agrimony, with new trees and shrubs planted in their place. As the garden develops, local people will be able to obtain fresh fruit and other seasonal food from the site. The garden is open to the public at all times.
Postcode: CH8 9SN View Location Map
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