Church of St Illtyd, Ruddlan

Introduction

The Church of St Illtyd in Rhuddlan, in the Diocese of Wrexham, received a RIBA commendation in 1978.

History

After the Catholic congregation of Rhuddlan had rented a former stable for Mass for many years, the Bishop of Menevia started a fundraising campaign for a permanent church in 1960. By 1975 the funds were in place and land was purchased in the north of the town, where a large new housing estate was also being built. Rhuddlan was the third of three remarkable Catholic churches produced by Stewart Bowen and the Bowen Dann Davies Partnership between 1964 and 1976. The Bowen Dann Davies Partnership formed in 1970, with Stewart Bowen’s long-time protégé William Davies made a partner and joined by Frank Dann, formerly of PM Padmore’s practice in Llanfairfechan.

Architecture and furnishings

The building is long and low, scaled to fit with the surrounding housing, with concrete block construction under a low swooping asbestos cement slate roof. Three principal blocks – church, hall and sacristy – are organised asymmetrically, with the church at the widest end of the range to the north. The interior has white painted walls and exposed natural materials, including parquet floor and boarded beams and ceilings, which are asymmetrical. The altar and font stand on a raised platform, the timber font in the form of an inverted ziggurat with a green plinth and slate top.

The tabernacle is decorated with the symbols of the Eucharist. Original benches and other furnishings, all part of the original design, include timber Stations of the Cross to either side of the nave. The sanctuary is lit by a high east facing clerestory that channels morning light onto the altar, to the right of which is a shadier low-ceilinged alcove containing the baptistry and organ. The Bowen Dann Davies Partnership designed the Catholic church of 1975-76.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish's Junior Church Catechists prepare children for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmations. The parish runs active groups including the Pastoral Support Group, Junior Church & Youth, Ladies Group, Social Committee, Horticultural Group, Craft Group, Choir and Altar Servers.

For baptism candidates over the age of seven, a period of instruction and formation in the Catholic faith lasting normally six months is required. The parish operates a Baptism Preparation Course for Parents, normally held three times a year, and after completion the baptism takes place over two weekends during the scheduled Sunday Mass.