The Diocese of Bangor is a diocese of the Church in Wales in North West Wales. The diocese covers Anglesey, most of Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire and the western part of Montgomeryshire.
The diocese in the Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd was founded around 546 by Saint Deiniol. As with the rest of Wales, it initially resisted the papal mission of St Augustine of Canterbury in Britain. In 1534, the church in England and Wales broke allegiance with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England.
The Report of the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to inquire into the Ecclesiastical Revenues of England and Wales (1835) found the see had an annual net income of ã4,464. This made it the second wealthiest diocese in Wales, after St Asaph.
After a brief restoration with the Holy See during the reign of Queen Mary I, the diocese remained part of the Anglican Province of Canterbury until the early 20th century. Following the Welsh Church Act 1914, the Welsh dioceses formed the independent Church in Wales within the Anglican Communion on 31 March 1920.
The Bishop of Bangor is the ordinary of the Diocese of Bangor. The incumbent is Andy John, who was consecrated the 81st Bishop of Bangor in 2008. Since 2022 he has also been the Archbishop of Wales, and on 19 January 2024, he announced the appointment of David Morris as the next assistant bishop of Bangor and titular Bishop of Bardsey.
Before the recent reorganisation the deaneries were:
The diocese is divided into 27 ministry areas and 162 churches. There are three deaneries where previously there were twelve. In 2018 the deaneries of Synod De Meirionnydd and Synod Gogledd Meirionnydd were merged into a single Synod Meirionnydd. There are 122 former churches within the area covered by the diocese, roughly 38 of which have closed since 2000.
APC = ancient parish church. MC = medieval chapelry.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Clynnog Fawr, Llanaelhaearn, Llandwrog, Llanllyfni Christ Church, Llanllyfni St John, Llanllyfni St Rhedyw and Llanwnda. It is named after St Beuno, to whom a church in the area is dedicated, and the medieval commote of Uwch Gwyrfai. It has an estimated population of 11,436. As of September 2025 its clergy positions were vacant.
This was formed in 2016 by the union of the parishes of Caerhun-with-Llangelynnin, Conwy, Gyffin and Upper Llanbedr. It is named after St Celynnin, to whom a church in the area is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 7,235. As of September 2025 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Kevin Ellis).
<sup>1</sup>used for one service a month in the summer months <sup>2</sup>original dedication to St Mary
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bangor Cathedral, Bangor Holy Cross, Bangor St David, Bangor St Mary and Bangor St Peter. It is named after St Deiniol, the first Bishop of Bangor. It has an estimated population of 18,519. As of September 2024 it was served by one Residentiary Canon (Tracy Jones).
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Dwygyfylchi St David, Dwygyfylchi St Gwynin, Dwygyfylchi St Seiriol, Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr. It is named after ?. It has an estimated population of 8,108. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Tom Saunders).
<sup>1</sup>dedication was Christ Church until 1999.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llanberis St Padarn, Llanberis St Peter, Llanddeiniolen, Llandinorwig, Llanrug and Penisarwaun. It is named after , the Welsh name for Snowdonia. It has an estimated population of 10,297. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Naomi Starkey) and one Associate Priest (A. Wilcox).
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Betws-y-Coed, Dolgarrog, Dolwyddelan, Llanrhychwyn, Penmachno and Trefriw. It is named after Gwydyr Forest. It has an estimated population of 3,107. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
<sup>1</sup>dedicated to St Curig until 1883
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Coetmor, Glanogwen, Llandygai St Ann, Llandygai St Tegai, Llanllechid, Pentir, Tal-y-bont and Tregarth. It is named after the Afon Ogwen. It has an estimated population of 9,251. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Community Chaplain.
<sup>1</sup>original dedication to St Anne <sup>2</sup>may be still open
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bettws Garmon, Caernarfon, Llanbeblig, Llanfair-is-Gaer Griffith's Crossing and Llanfair-is-Gaer St Mary. It is named after St Peblig, to whom is dedicated the original parish church of Caernarfon. It has an estimated population of 15,717. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llandudno Holy Trinity and Llandudno St Tudno. It is named after St Tudno, to whom is dedicated the original parish church of Llandudno. It has an estimated population of 7,247. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bontddu, Caerdeon, Dyffryn, Harlech, Llanaber St David, Llanaber St John, Llanaber St Mary, Llanbedr, Llandanwg, Llanddwywe, Llandecwyn, Llanenddwyn, Llanfair-Juxta-Harlech and Llanfihangel-Y-Traethau. It is named after the historical area of Ardudwy. It has an estimated population of 6,925. As of September 2025 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Ben Griffith).
<sup>1</sup>original dedication to St Bodfan
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Carno, Llandinam, Llangurig, Llanidloes, Llanwnnog, Penstrowed and Trefeglwys. It is named after the historical area of Arwystli. It has an estimated population of 8,428. As of September 2025 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Alison Gwalchmai) and one Associate Vicar (Steve Leyland).
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Cemais, Corris, Darowen, Esgairgeiliog, Llanbrynmair, Llanwrin, Machynlleth, Mallwyd and Penegoes. It is named after the medieval commotes of Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy. It has an estimated population of 6,589. As of September 2025 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader (Miriam Beecroft) and one Associate Priest (Pete Ward).
<sup>1</sup>original dedication to SS Ust & Dyfrig
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bryncoedifor, Dolgellau, Llanelltud and Llanfachreth. It is named after Cymer Abbey. It has an estimated population of 4,256. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Abererch, Beddgelert, Criccieth, Denio, Dolbenmaen, Llanarmon, Llangybi, Llanystymdwy, Porthmadog St John, Porthmadog St Cyngar and Treflys. It is named after the historical area of Eifionydd. It has an estimated population of 10,330. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
<sup>1</sup>Victorian church closed 2023. Congregation continues to meet in a remodelled dentist's surgery.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberdaron, Llanbedrog, Llanengan, Llanfaelrhys, Llangian, Llannor and Pwllheli. It is named after Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island). It has an estimated population of 10,322. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Pilgrim Priest.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Botwnnog, Bryncroes, Edern, Llandudwen, Llangwnnadl, Llaniestyn, Nefyn, Penllech, Pistyll and Tudweiliog. It is named after Saint Madryn. It has an estimated population of 5,393. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
<sup>1</sup>closed 2014 but reopened 2024
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Ffestiniog, Maentwrog, Penrhyndeudraeth and Trawsfynydd. It is named after the Moelwyn mountains. It has an estimated population of 9,057. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberdyfi, Abergynolwyn, Arthog, Fairbourne, Llanegryn, Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant, Llangelynnin, Llwyngwril, Tal-Y-Llyn and Tywyn. It is named after the historic commote of Ystumanner. It has an estimated population of 7,426. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader, two Associate Vicars and one Associate Priest.
<sup>1</sup>original dedication to St Egryn
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Aberffraw, Gaerwen, Llanffinan, Llanfihangel Ysgeifiog, Llangadwaladr, Llangaffo, Llangristiolus, Trefdraeth Christ the King and Trefdraeth St Beuno. It is named after Saint Cadwaladr, to whom one of the churches is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 5,651. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and one Associate Priest.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bodedern, Bryngwran, Caergeiliog, Llanbabo, Llanfachraeth, Llanfaelog, Llanfair-Yn-Neubwll, Llanfihangel-Yn-Nhywyn, Llangwyfan, Llantrisant, Llanynghenedl, Llechylched and Valley. It is named after Saint Kevin of Glendalough, to whom a redundant church in the area is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 9,490. As of September 2024 its clergy positions were vacant.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Holyhead Morawelon, Holyhead St Cybi, Holyhead St Ffraid and Holyhead St Gwenfaen. It is named after Saint Cybi, to whom the church of Holyhead is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 14,133. As of September 2024 it was served by one Associate Vicar.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bodwrog, Heneglwys, Llandrygarn, Llanerch-Y-Medd, Llangefni, Llangwyllog St Anau, Llangwyllog St Cwyllog, Tregaean and Trewalchmai. It is named after Saint Cyngar, to whom the church of Llangefni is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 8,344. As of September 2024 its clergy positions were vacant.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llanedwen, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Llanfair-yn-y-Cwmwd, Llangeinwen, Llanidan and Newborough. It is named after Saint Dwynwen, to whom a redundant church in the area is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 6,573. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Amlwch, Llanallgo, Llandyfrydog, Llaneilian, Llaneugrad, Llanfihangel Tre'r Beirdd, Llanwenllwyfo and Penrhosllugwy. It is named after Saint Eleth, to whom the church at Amlwch is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 8,887. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Bodewryd, Cemaes, Llanbadrig, Llanfaethlu, Llanfair-Yng-Nghornwy, Llanfechell, Llanfflewin, Llanrhuddlad, Llanrhwydrus and Rhosbeirio. It is named after Saint Patrick, to whom two churches in the area are dedicated. It has an estimated population of 3,795. As of September 2024 its clergy positions were vacant.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Beaumaris St Catherine, Beaumaris St Cawrdaf, Beaumaris SS Mary & Nicholas, Beaumaris St Michael, Beaumaris St Seiriol and Llanddona. It is named after Saint Seiriol, to whom a church in the area is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 3,615. As of September 2024 it was served by one Associate Vicar.
This was formed by the union of the parishes of Llanbedrgoch, Llandegfan, Llandysilio, Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf, Llansadwrn, Menai Bridge and Pentraeth. It is named after Saint Tysilio, to whom the ancient church of Menai Bridge is dedicated. It has an estimated population of 9,950. As of September 2024 it was served by one Ministry Area Leader and two Associate Vicars.
From Slater's Directory of North and Mid Wales.
<sup>1</sup>formed from Llanrhychwyn, Llanrwst, Llandegai and Llanllechid
<sup>1</sup>formed from Llanfihangel-y-traethau, Llandecwyn and Llanfrothen
1created from Llanbrynmair, Darowen, Penegoes and Trefeglwys
<sup>1</sup>formed from Talyllyn and Llanwrin