The Vale of Clwyd was a significant center for the development of Christianity, with numerous Celtic saints establishing religious cells in the area. St. Meugan's church in Llanrhydd became a prominent mother church, recorded in historical documents and receiving compensation for damages during wars. Edward I's conquest of Wales in 1282 led to the reduction of St. Meugan's influence, as Ruthin Castle was constructed, and Ruthin became a chartered borough.
Lord John de Grey established St. Peter's Collegiate Church in 1310, housing a community of priests known as the Bonshommes. The church endured damage during uprisings but continued to serve the community. Over time, the church underwent alterations, including a Victorian restoration and the addition of a spire. St. Peter's is known for its distinctive double-naved structure and magnificent timber roofs. Dean Gabriel Goodman played a significant role in Ruthin, refounding the wardenship and constructing almshouses.
The church experienced maintenance challenges, including a fire in 1904. In 1920, the Welsh Church Act resulted in the separation of Wales and Monmouthshire from the Church of England. Notable memorials and historical buildings related to the church and Gabriel Goodman can be found in the vicinity.
References:The church of the former Franciscan monastery was built probably between 1515 and 1520. It is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Rauma. The church stands by the small stream of Raumanjoki (Rauma river).
The exact age of the Church of the Holy Cross is unknown, but it was built to serve as the monastery church of the Rauma Franciscan Friary. The monastery had been established in the early 15th century and a wooden church was built on this location around the year 1420.
The Church of the Holy Cross served the monastery until 1538, when it was abandoned for a hundred years as the Franciscan friary was disbanded in the Swedish Reformation. The church was re-established as a Lutheran church in 1640, when the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity was destroyed by fire.
The choir of the two-aisle grey granite church features medieval murals and frescoes. The white steeple of the church was built in 1816 and has served as a landmark for seafarers.