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Introduction to the Parish
The parish is situated in the Snowdonia National Park. We are very privileged to live in a most beautiful part of the country with marvellous views of Cader Idris and surrounding area wherever you turn in the parish. We serve a largely rural area centring on the agricultural market town of Dolgellau. The adult population of Dolgellau is just below 3,000 and the population of the whole benefice is around 4,000. Apart from agriculture (which is no longer the employer it used to be), the main employers are shops and tourism. There are also a few very small industrial units in the town.
The Rectorial Benefice was created in 1970 and incorporates the churches of Dolgellau, Llanelltyd, Llanfachreth, Brithdir and Bryncoedifor. Each village has a Sunday Eucharist and Dolgellau has 2 Eucharists (8.00a.m. & 10.00a.m.). There is a midweek celebration on Thursday mornings in Dolgellau and the offices are said daily. Dolgellau attracts around 120 communicants per week and 25 - 40 children. Llanelltyd has an average Sunday congregation of around 35, and the other three villages would each have average Sunday congregations of between 12 - 15. The primary schools in Dolgellau and Llanfachreth are Church schools and we enjoy a very good, close working relationship with both. We are also involved with the other schools in our parish on a regular basis. There is a community hospital in the town and we, together with ecumenical partners, share the chaplaincy ministry there. Dolgellau is also one of the 3 educational epicentres for Gwynedd and the tertiary college for this area is situated here.
The tradition of the parish could be described as 'Church in Wales Catholic' i.e. reserved sacrament and robed choir in Dolgellau, vestments in all churches, eucharistically centred worship etc. Our liturgy is that of the CinW Prayer Book and Alternative Rites.
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