Ruthin church first in Wales to achieve gold eco award

St Peter’s Church in Llanbedr, near Ruthin, part of the Diocese of St Asaph, has achieved its Gold Eco-Church award, singling it out as a "beacon of good environmental practice for churches addressing the climate crisis".

The award was given by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, and reflects the church’s commitment to walk in step with nature and put creation care at the heart of what they do - in their worship and teaching, use of buildings and land, community and global engagement and by making lifestyle changes.

The ‘Capel Beuno’ area is popular among the youngsters of the church and wider community where they meet regularly around the fire pit and sit on seats recycled from wood pallets. (Image: The Church In Wales)

To achieve the Gold award, the congregation of St Peter’s developed its churchyard to transform it into a welcoming green space to support wildlife and biodiversity. They encourage native wildlife by providing bird boxes, a bug hotel, sowing wildflower seeds and have also created a labyrinth area with a seat and space for quiet contemplation.

The church is a very popular spot for the start and end of walks in the area, and visitors can get a Fairtrade coffee inside. 

Father Huw Bryant, one of the vicars at St Peter’s, said: “We have been working for several years towards this award, not for its own sake, but to embed good care for creation and stewardship of our resources into all that we do as we aim to be carbon positive by 2030.

“Getting the Gold award has been a real journey that began with opening up our churchyard, getting the local community and school involved in planting bulbs and wildflowers and creating new spaces as a sanctuary for both wildlife and people. But it developed into so much more than that, from making sure our energy supplies are from renewable green sources to finding environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. We’ve not only measured our own carbon footprint but encourage our community to measure their own footprint and take steps in their own lives to live out their faith by reducing their own consumption and doing little things to benefit the environment from car-sharing to taking part in no-mow-May. With the online tool like ‘360 Carbon’ it couldn’t be easier for everyone to get involved.”

Delyth Higgins, Eco Church Officer for Wales, said, “Our huge congratulations to St Peter’s on their well-deserved Gold Eco Church award and for being the first Gold award in Wales. Everything about their approach sets them out as an exemplar of what it means to be a Gold awarded church.

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"They are an important part of a close rural community in north-east Wales where what they do rubs off on others around them and there is great team-working evident here. It is encouraging to hear that they have been blessed with growing numbers and much of this is down to their practical activity outside - caring for creation and providing lovely spaces for people to meet and contemplate.

"There is still so much for us all to do, as they recognise, but, in the meantime, we hope they enjoy celebrating this award and seeing others inspired from all around Wales to join them in taking action to care for this amazing world.”

The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron, said: "The environmental crisis is one of the biggest challenges that humanity faces, and it is becoming increasingly urgent. It is so good to hear of a congregation and their clergy making a success of hard work to ensure that the care of the environment is a central part of their mission, and I congratulate all involved on this significant achievement.”

The ‘Capel Beuno’ area (pictured) is popular among the youngsters of the church and wider community where they meet regularly around the fire pit and sit on seats recycled from wood pallets.

Fallen trees have been crafted into two altar tables which are used for outside services. A labyrinth has also been created.

In October 2022, St Peter’s hosted the Diocese of St Asaph’s first Eco-Fest which encouraged people from churches across the diocese to find out how they could become an Eco-Church. Watch our film about the Eco-Fest.