The Diocese of St Davids covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion with around 260 parishes. St Davids Cathedral is one of the most ancient Christian sites in Britain. The city of St Davids is the smallest city in the UK (~1,800 population). Deeply rural Welsh-language heritage estate.
The Diocese of St Davids at a glance
- Bishop
- Bishop Dorrien Davies
- Coverage
- Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion
- Parishes
- ~260 CofE parishes
- Net zero target
- 2030
- Chancellor (faculty)
- His Honour Mark Furness KC
- Capital programme
- Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund (St Davids allocation)
- Maximum diocesan grant
- £18,000
Notable historic churches in the diocese
- St Davids Cathedral (burial place of Wales's patron saint)
- Carmarthen St Peter's
- Aberystwyth St Michael's
- Haverfordwest St Mary's
- Lampeter St Peter's
Funding stack for St Davids parish solar
A typical parish solar project in the Diocese of St Davids combines multiple funding routes to achieve 80-100% capex cover:
| Grant source | Value range | Typical share of capex |
|---|---|---|
| Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund | Up to £18,000 | 30-50% |
| Welsh Government Net Zero Public Sector | Variable | 10-25% |
| Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme | 20% of capex | 20% |
| Welsh Government rural community grants | Variable | 5-10% |
Faculty jurisdiction in the Diocese of St Davids
For Church of England parishes in the Diocese of St Davids, any works to a consecrated building — including solar PV — require a faculty granted by the Chancellor, His Honour Mark Furness KC, on the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). For a well-prepared solar application, the typical timescale from PCC resolution to faculty grant is 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings, extending to 18-26 weeks for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
We have prepared faculty applications across the Diocese of St Davids and know the DAC office, diocesan architect, and Net Zero Officer personally. See our 2026 PCC guide to faculty jurisdiction for the full process, or our faculty application service page for our delivery approach.
Cities and towns covered in the Diocese of St Davids
We deliver across the Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion footprint, with particular activity in:
How we work with Diocese of St Davids parishes
- Free desk feasibility — system size, capex, grant routes specific to St Davids, PCC-ready report inside 7 working days
- On-site survey — structural and electrical engineers; engagement with diocesan architect
- Faculty application — Statement of Significance, Statement of Needs, DAC consultation, representation at chancery
- Grant applications — Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund (St Davids allocation), Buildings for Mission, Listed Places of Worship VAT scheme
- Install and commission — typically 1-3 weeks on site, with full PCC training and monitoring active
- Post-commissioning — Eco Church credit logged, parish magazine feature, annual carbon report
Common questions — Diocese of St Davids parish solar
How many CofE parishes does the Diocese of St Davids have?
Approximately 260 parishes across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion.
Who is the Chancellor of the Diocese of St Davids?
His Honour Mark Furness KC grants faculties for solar installations on consecrated parish buildings.
What is the diocese's net zero target?
The Diocese of St Davids has committed to net zero by 2030, in line with (or ahead of) the Church of England's national 2030 General Synod commitment.
What grant funding is available for St Davids parish solar?
The principal route is the Church in Wales Net Zero Carbon Fund (St Davids allocation), with awards up to £18,000. This combines with national Buildings for Mission grants, the Listed Places of Worship VAT Grant Scheme, and charitable trust funding to typically cover 50-100% of capex.
How long does a faculty application take in the Diocese of St Davids?
For a well-prepared solar faculty application, 10-18 weeks for non-listed and Grade II buildings; longer for Grade II* and Grade I where Historic England consultation is required.
Related dioceses and resources
RELATED DIOCESES