Wrexham student designs new logo and branding for City Centre Church

Artwork created by a student at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham has been turned into new branding to promote the work of the city’s main church.

St Giles Church asked the Yale campus of Coleg Cambria to run a competition with its A Level Art, Craft and Design students to design a new look for the church, which has recently received additional funding for community outreach.

A design by Szymon Szczerba which incorporates the story of Saint Giles into a logo was selected and will be used in the churches branding. Szymon who attended St Giles’ Church in Wales Primary School is a regular visitor to the church.

The Vicar of St Giles, the Revd James Tout, said: “We are delighted with Szymon design which will be used widely across all our social media and website platforms, printed literature and merchandise to promote the work of the church.

“It incorporates the life and faith of the seventh century hermit in a single image, which will remind us that like, St Giles, we should be demonstrating humility, compassion and care for the poor.”

“The decision to create a new logo comes as St Giles transitions to becoming a Mission Hub Church offering more services, activities and resources to the local community.

“We’ve already started a new choir, which is open to everyone, and hope to be appointing a Music Outreach Worker shortly to help us become a centre of musical opportunities for all.”

St Giles asked Coleg Cambria to assist with their redesign and 19 designs were submitted by students. James added: “I want to thank every single entrant for their enthusiasm, and talent. It was a tough choice with so many outstanding designs to choose from. In the end Szymon’s summed up the ethos of St Giles’ in his design.”

Gareth Jones, Assistant Principal and Head of Yale Sixth Form at Coleg Cambria said: “Yale 6th is incredibly proud to have collaborated with St Giles Church on this exciting project. This initiative provided a fantastic real-world brief for our A-level Art students, and we are delighted that Szymon’s artwork has been selected and turned into the new branding. We are all extremely excited to see the design presented and showcased for many years to come.”

Szymon said: “I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to create something which is to become part of St Giles Church and its community hub while on my A level Art, Craft and Design course at Yale 6. I’m so pleased to have won; it’s exciting!

“My inspiration came from the story of St Giles himself; a hermit whose only companion was a red deer he saved from hunters. St Giles became a symbol of compassion, and a patron saint of those facing health challenges, and so it felt appropriate to incorporate a red deer into the design, as it stands as a symbol of St Giles’ unconditional compassion.

“This is my first time working in Graphic Design and winning is so special as I attended St Giles Primary School and often visit the church, so it is a wonderful feeling being able to contribute to its future.”

St Giles Church in the centre of Wrexham is one of seven Mission Hub Churches across the Diocese of St Asaph. Mission Hub Churches are resourced to be a centre of excellence for running and growing a church, with people encouraged to come into their church for a range of worship and other activities.

St Giles serves the needs of the Wrexham city centre population and welcomes tourists from around the world. It is a regular stopping-off point for American visitors who are familiar with the streaming programme Welcome to Wrexham made by the Hollywood owners of Wrexham AFC. The churchyard of St Giles’ houses the tomb of Elihu Yale, one of the benefactors of Yale University.

St Giles’ will be hosting a reception for all the students who participated in the design competition as a thank you for taking part. The new branding will be in place shortly, including on a new website, but you can find out more about the church via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stgileschurch.wrexham