Churches

Priory Church of St Mary

Richard de Clare "caused to be constructed a Priory of Nuns and a church for the imported and attracted population" sometime between 1154 and 1170. A North isle was added in c 13th Century and two projecting porches and battlement embellishments in c 15th Century.  The Church was drastically reduced after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, though the interior retains the beautiful Tudor rood screen. Also look for the brass strip on the chancel screen dedicated to Adam of Usk, thought to be the earliest brass inscription in Welsh.  The nave houses the memorial to the c 17th Century benefactor Roger Edwards. Outside the tomb of martyred St David Lewis is near the main door.  Look for the tomb of Phillip Mason, near the path, who died in 1772 weighing nearly 40 stones.  Near the exit gate is the square base of a medieval cross; 20" back from the cross lies the weathered tomb of the last Prioress of Usk, the outlines of the effigy's skirt still recognisable, with a reclining dog at the feet.  The main entrance is on Priory Street.
Service details

Sunday  8.00 am Holy Eucharist; 9.30 am Sung Eucharist; Sunday School
6.00 pm Evensong (4.00 pm during Winter)
Wednesday 10.30 am  Holy Eucharist
Thursday 10.00 am Holy Eucharist (using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer)
Saints and Holy Days 10.30 am Holy Eucharist

Usk Baptist Church

The building in Old Market Street was first started in 1840 with the completion of what is called the Schoolroom, away from the road. This left room for the actual present church building completed in 1842 and made a permanent place of worship for Baptists. For over two hundred year, prior to this , the witness of local Baptists had been in various houses in and around  Usk . During the church’s history, various renovations and additions have been made, forming the present building .Electric light and heating were installed in 1946.  It is now a Grade 2 listed building, with most of the original features inside, including wall plaques to the memory of persons associated closely with the history of this church.
As is the Baptist tradition, the interior has pews arranged beside the two aisles. The pulpit is in the centre front, raised up and on the wall behind is a scrolled inscription from Psalm 46 ‘God is our refuge and strength’. There is a balcony, accessed by an old stone staircase, and which provides more seating. 

The pipe organ was built to design in 1928 by Charles Gill of Cardiff Organ Works and has been repaired and renovated and regularly used in services , as well as other more modern instruments. The Schoolroom at the rear of the building is used for church based activities and by groups within the community. The Chapel House adjoining the building was formerly used as a Manse for Minister.

Sunday Worship-10.30am

Address:        Old Market Street, Usk

Web site:      www.uskbaptistchurch.org
Contacts:      Pastor:         Rev Paul Baxter         01291 673643
                        Secretary:   Barbara Hughes          01291 672303

SS Francis Xavier and David Lewis Catholic Church

SS Francis Xavier and David Lewis Catholic Church, built in Porthycarne Street, in 1847, to a simple but charming Gothic design, is small but well proportioned.  The main window depicts St Benedict and an unidentified Saint.  The main alter is original but brought forward in the re-ordering of 1970.  The side altar of Our Lady has particular charm, whilst the baptistery has a modern window depicting the Patron Saints.  The shrine has a c 18th Century copy of St David Lewis, shown with the rope and knife, the instruments of his death bu hanging, drawing and quartering.  The modern communion rail was hand carved at the Prison by inmates with no previous experience. Outside the original gravestone (but not the grave) of St David Lewis, martyred here.  The original dedication was St Francis Xavier. St David Lewis was added after his canonisation by Paul VI in 1970.

Service Details

Masses   Saturday 6.30 pm / Sunday 10.00 am

Usk Castle Chase - Natural Burial Ground