Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1923-1999 / (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
1.5 cubic metres (53 boxes, 18 vols) at May 2003; 10 boxes and 2 crates (September 2017); 7 boxes (July 2023); 7 boxes (November 2024).
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The diocese of Swansea and Brecon was created on 1 July 1923 from the existing diocese of St. Davids, comprising the archdeaconry of Brecon and the rural deaneries of East and West Gower. Geographically, this comprises the old counties of Brecon and Radnor (except for a few border parishes), the Swansea Valley, and the Gower Peninsula. The decision to create the diocese was taken by a committee appointed by the Governing Body of the recently disestablished Church in Wales, as the old diocese of St Davids (then the largest bishopric in England and Wales) was considered too large in area. The diocese is divided into two archdeaconries, the ancient archdeaconry of Brecon and the archdeaconry of Gower, created in 1923 on the formation of the diocese. The first bishop, Edward Latham Bevan, who had been consecrated Suffragen Bishop of Swansea in 1915, was installed on 14 September 1923.
The former Priory Church of St John the Evangelist, Brecon, became the cathedral church of the new diocese in September 1923. The church was adapted to serve as a cathedral and the buildings in the close were returned for the use of the Dean and Chapter to serve as vestries and accommodation for the clergy. In recent years some of these buildings have been converted into a Diocesan Centre, Heritage Centre, shop and restaurant. Ely Tower in Brecon was offered by Lord Tredegar to be the residence of the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Most records have been deposited directly from creating departments or via the Diocesan Archivist, Mrs Margaret Walker, between 1992 and 1999.
Ms Louise Pearson; Brecon; Donation; September 2017; 99204837302419.
Diocese of Swansea and Brecon per Andrew Dulley; Swansea; Deposit; July 2023 and November 2024; 99204837302419.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the diocese of Swansea and Brecon relating almost entirely to the routine administration of the diocese since its creation in 1923.
Records of the Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Trust; September 2017.
Six boxes containing Faculties, arranged according to parish and including correspondence, together with a box of minutes of the Gower Rural Deanery conferences; July 2023.
Seven boxes containing parish files relating to parishes in the diocese; November 2024.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Action: The fonds has been appraised: details are given at the appropriate levels of description.. Action identifier: Records which pre-date the creation of the diocese of Swansea and Brecon have been transferred to the St Davids Diocesan Records held in NLW..
Accruals
Accruals are expected at regular intervals.
System of arrangement
The records have been arranged into the following groups: Diocesan Conference; Diocesan Council for Education; Diocesan Board of Mission; Diocesan Registry; Episcopal Papers; other diocesan bodies; Dean and Chapter; Archidiaconal Papers; and Ruridecanal Papers.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
All records are subject to a minimum closure period of 30 years - see series or file level descriptions.
Conditions governing reproduction
Normal copyright rules apply.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
English unless otherwise specified.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Title supplied from provenance.
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
GEAC system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
May 2002
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Compiled by Michael J. Pearson.
Archivist's note
The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Year Books (annual); web site of the diocese of Swansea and Brecon http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/swanseaandbrecon/homepage.htm, May 2002;