ST Mary's Church, Monmouth, was full on Friday night for the celebration of the 900th anniversary of its consecration.
The service was conducted by three celebrants, Fr Martin Wilson, Archbishop of Wales the Most Revd Rowan Williams and Bishop Saunders Davies, Bishop of Bangor, whose predecessor, Hervé, consecrated the Church in 1101.
The Bishop gave thanks for 900 years of worship in the building and for all who prayed and received grace there.
The service was in three parts. The first was "Stability. A Living Temple" and was conducted by the Bishop.
The second part took the theme of "Conversion" and was conducted by Father Martin.
The third part was "Obedience" and this was conducted by the Archbishop.
After the service the congregation moved into the Parish Rooms for refreshments.
Monmouth's Benedictine Priory Church of St Mary's was founded by the Breton Lord of Monmouth, Gwethenoc, and was dedicated in 1101 by the Bishop of Bangor, a fellow Breton to Gwethenoc.
The building was enlarged in the 12th century and the tower constructed in the 14th, but by 1683 much of the Church had become ruined. In 1738 all but the west wall and tower was rebuilt.