The office of churchwarden dates from the 13th Century.  The primary function of the office at that time seems to have been that of taking care of the Church building and its contents on behalf of the parishioners.  In the course of time other duties were added, and churchwardens are recognised in the Constitution as officers of the Bishop of the diocese, responsible to him for the proper carrying out of their responsibilities.
Throughout their long history, churchwardens have provided an example of the advantages of lay participation in the life and work of a parish.  When the Parochial Church Council was brought into being in Wales in 1921, it assumed many of the duties previously associated with the office of churchwarden, particularly in regard to financial affairs and the maintenance of the fabric of the church.

Every parish has two churchwardens.  They must be over the age of 18 and not more than 75. One is elected by the Annual Vestry Meeting; the other is appointed at that meeting by the Incumbent (the consent of each having been previously obtained).

By custom churchwardens are admitted to office at the Visitation of the Bishop or the Archdeacon after reading and signing the prescribed Declaration. After serving for 6 consecutive years a churchwarden may not be re-elected or re-appointed for the year following.  If difficulty is foreseen in complying with his rule the Archdeacon may issue a dispensation.