Were you one of the 33,000 people to visit St Giles Parish Church last year?

Tourists from across the world joined the thousands of local visitors last year in paying a trip to St Giles Parish Church.

Known as one of the ‘Wonders of Wales’, the church welcomed 33,000 visitors through its doors during 2018 – this excludes the thousands more who attended the Victorian Christmas Market.

Over the past 12 months the church has seen visitor figures increase by 21 per cent on 2017 and almost doubling since 2014.

In addition, entries in the Church Visitors Book (and on TripAdvisor) show what a wide global appeal the church continues to have with visitors from all parts of the world (Australia, all parts of Europe, Russia, South America and North America) and from all over the UK.

These visitors joined locals in visiting the Church for many reasons, including the regular tower climbs, recitals and concerts, special services, school and charity Carol Concerts in December – as well as the Victorian Christmas Market.

More than 4,000 visitors alone came to the church last autumn to see a unique, hand crafted poppy display commemorating the end of World War One.

Such events are all in addition to the usual full round of weekly services, prayer and worship together with regular church activities and church events.

Going forward, the Parish Church is hopeful of adding to their visitor figures for 2019.

In May FOCUS Wales concerts will again be held at the Church – along with, in April, the return of the popular Tower Climbs on the last Saturday of each month until September, giving panoramic views of North East Wales to those venturing the 150 steps to the top.

Parish Church Vicar Rev Dr. Jason Bray, who is also a board member of the This Is Wrexham Tourism Partnership, said: “It’s our Mission at St Giles’ to be Visible and Active, and also to give everyone a really warm welcome, so it’s great to see that the message is getting out there to increasing numbers of visitors, many of whom will also spend time in the Town Centre.”

Speaking on behalf of the This Is Wrexham Tourism Partnership – Chairperson Sam Regan said” “St Giles Parish Church is a key attractor to the Town Centre and welcomes a range of different audiences throughout the year as these figures demonstrate.

“We, and the Council’s Tourism Team, are really keen to ensure that the Church plays a key part in the current Tourism Plan for the County and are supported in delivering a first class welcome to those who visit.”

If you have not been up the tower we can recommend a ‘tower climb’, so keep an eye out for dates in 2019!