Snead is one of the smallest parishes in Wales. The church is in an idyllic rural

setting, the location of a 12th century Augustinian Priory, and was built on a

raised churchyard close to the River Camlad, which here forms the border between

England and Wales.

The building is open daily for visitors. Access is from the A489 main road between Lydham and Churchstoke. A small space on private land serves as a car park, whilst the layby on the main road at the top of the access lane can also be used for parking. A hedge-lined grass path leads to the church.

Restoration work was carried out in 1998 and in 2019 a new drainage system around the perimeter of the church was completed. Additional repairs to the roof were undertaken in 2025 but work is also needed on the floor in the nave and the south east window and corner wall, where an interior scaffolding support was erected in 2022.

The hamlet of Snead contains agricultural land, scattered household dwellings and some businesses. There are two poultry farms, a Holiday home and Caravan Park, a Furniture Centre, and Farm Machinery Workshop.

The church has a church administrator and a PCC, with just 13 electoral roll members. Our modest income comes from regular payments from a small number of people, visitors, and from occasional special services and events. The churchyard is cared for by members of the PCC and other volunteers.

We aim to continue using the church as a place of worship and to raise the profile through our Facebook page ‘Snead Church, Powys’, through ongoing membership of Shropshire Churches Tourism Group and the ‘Small Pilgrim Places’ Network. The church is visited by holiday makers, local visitors and walkers and is well signed at the entrance. Special events and short lay-led Morning and Evening themed prayer services have been held and appreciated. Traditional services, such as Harvest Festival have continued successfully and others, such as a celebration of the churchyard and its wildlife have also been held.

We hope that in the future more people will continue to discover Snead Church and enjoy its atmosphere of prayerfulness and peace. We recognise the need to look for additional ways of fundraising and to become more sustainable, and are glad to be part of a Benefice which aims to develop even more co-operation to extend Ministry, membership and giving innovatively.