Old Radnor

Yes, it's true; we are in Wales but belong to Hereford! We are a very small rural parish with St Stephen's Church sitting on its ancient hill surveying the Radnor Valley. Here there are extensive Neolithic, Bronze Age and Roman remains just below the sheep cropped turf and arable fields.

We have a busy village hall in nearby Walton where the WI is active. We also have a busy Young Farmers Club. In many ways as a community we look west into the unfolding Radnorshire hills, just like our pub The Harp, which must have one of the most stunning views in the Marches. And this is just next door to St Stephens, convenient for refreshment after Evening Prayers.

The Parish come together annually to hold the church fete in July which is always a joyous occasion and raises much needed funds.    Church members have organised flower festivals and concerts from time to time and these events have always proved a great success, not least in bringing the people of the parish together.

St. Stephen's Church

Regular worship at St. Stephen’s

At Old Radnor our worship, in common with Kington uses the Common Worship Order One for our Communion Services.  We are privileged to possess an extremely fine organ with the oldest free standing organ case in the U.K. Ruth, our talented organist who we share with Kinnerton provides beautiful music to accompany our worship and lead the singing.

On the third Sunday in the month our Evening Worship is called “Junior Praise”. This is less formal and designated to be relevant and accessible to the young and young at heart.

We have been a meeting place since ancient times, and our church carries a proud tradition. But it must be said that whilst a St Stephen's welcome is warm and heart-felt, early on a January morning it may be a contender for the coldest church in the Diocese! 

A small but dedicated congregation maintain the life of the Church at Old Radnor. The Vice-Chairman of the PCC assists the clergy with Holy Communion twice a month.  Rosemary Watkins, Church Warden and local farmer, started a Family Service some years ago, and whilst young families have grown up the service format remains with an expectation that there will be young people again.

Much restoration has taken place during the last few years, including a complete re-roofing of the church, and in the last few months the Rood Screen has been completely restored.  The Lych Gate has also undergone a major repair and there are plans to extend the graveyard.