Parishioners play an active part in the life of the parish. The Parish Advisory Council (PAC) includes parishioners with responsibilities for safeguarding, finances, maintenance and repair etc.[9]
The new Archdiocese is subdivided into 7 Deaneries. St. Joseph’s (Hay-on-Wye) and St. Michael's (Brecon) are in the St. John Lloyd Deanery. Other Churches in the Deanery include: Cathedral,[14] St. David's/Danygraig,[15] Townhill,[16] Sketty,[17] Gendros/Landore,[18] Dunvant,[19] Mumbles,[20] Morriston Port Talbot/Cwmavon,[21] Margam,[22] Sandfields,[23] Briton Ferry,[24] Neath/Glyneath.[25]
Francis Kilvert is a literary connection for the geographical area known as "Kilvert country" which includes Hay-on-Wye and nearby villages, especially, Clyro and Llanigon.[39][40][27]
Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Hay-on-Wye (1828 - about 1963)
William L. Bevan (1840)Coleg Trefeca near Tagarth (1860)
In 1740, William Seward, an itinerant lay preacher from Coleg Trefeca (the Calvinistic MethodistTheological College near Talgarth) and other outsiders visited Hay-on-Wye to promote their theology. Allegedly a stone thrown from a hostile crowd in Black Lion Green resulted in Seward receiving head injuries. He died a few days later, and he is widely known as the firstMethodistMartyr.[42] The historicity of the Black Lion Green incident is disputed for various reasons including the lack of contemporary evidence. ArchdeaconRev. Dr W. L. Bevan (Vicar of St. Mary's in St Mary's Road, 1845-1901) was an authority on the history of the Welsh Church said that the "highly coloured account of the martyr's death on the tombstone in Cusop churchyard is dated at least 100 years after Seward's death".[43][44] The event may have been a conflation of similar well documented incidents endured by Seward and other itinerant preachers.[45]
Some Methodist congregations were nicknamed 'the Jumpers'.[46] In 1774, John Wesley preached in St. John's Chapel in Lion Street.[47][48] He described 'the Jumpers', "they clapped their hands with the utmost violence; they shook their heads; they distorted all their features; they threw their arms and legs to and fro in all variety of postures; they sang, roared, shouted, screamed with all their might to the no small terror of those that were near them".[46][49]
Thomas Phillips (1865)
In 1828, the Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist Chapel was built in Belmont Road.[50] The word "Tabernacle" emphasises the presence of God and the practice of Holy Communion.[51] The building of the new Chapel was overseen by its Minister Rev. Dr. Thomas Phillips (1803-70),[52] who lived in Castle Street[53][54] on a stipend of £30 per annum.[55] Previously, Phillips trained clergy for the "South Wales Home Missionary Society" (in Neuadd-lwyd).[56] Their mission included the anglicised parts of Wales, like Hay-on-Wye.[57][58][59] It is not known if Tabernacle Chapel services were conducted in Welsh or English or both.[60] Phillips facilitated the growth of the Tabernacle Chapel, assisted by the absence of a Sunday evening service at nearby St. Mary's (then Anglican but Church in Wales since 1914). Methodists often attended Anglican services as well as their own.[45][61] Tabernacle Chapel services were at 11am, 2pm and 6pm on a Sunday plus 7pm on a Monday.[62] For many years "everyone in Wales went to Church or Chapel, three times on a Sunday and often during the week".[63] A typical Sunday included "two full services and Sunday School sandwiched between them in the afternoon".[64][65]
In 1834, Samuel Lewis described the Tabernacle Chapel as a "handsome place of worship". Phillips "kept a school".[66] Lewis commends the Methodist Chapelteachers for freely teaching local children.[67] In 1836, after a decade as Minister, Phillips left to become the "indefatigable and marvellously successful" Welsh secretary[55] of the ecumenicalBritish and Foreign Bible Society in Hereford.[68][69][70]
Francis Kilvert (1870)
Between 1865 and 1872, whilst Curate for Saint Michael and All Angels in Clyro, Francis Kilvert often visited Llanthomas (in Llanigon) and his friend Rev. Dr W. L. Bevan who lived in Hay Castle.[71] He will have walked past the Tabernacle Chapel. Given Kilvert's attention to detail in the surviving diaries it might appear surprising that the Tabernacle Chapel (and the 6 other non-conformist Chapels in Hay-on-Wye) are not mentioned. However, as a loyal Anglican, Kilvert had little time for non-conformists, whom he called dissenters.[72]
Richard Owens (1875)
At the end of the 19th-century of the 6,427 known non-conformist chapels in Wales, more than half had been rebuilt at least once.[73] In 1872, a new stone-built chapel was partly built on the foundations of the original Tabernacle Chapel, retaining portions of the original walls. It cost £700 to build, worth about £100,000 today.[74][75] The Chapel was designed by the prolific Calvinistic Methodist architect Richard Owens of Liverpool. The building contractor was Mr. James Webb of Hay-on-Wye.[76]
Rev. Richmond Leigh Roose oversaw the building of the upgraded Tabernacle Chapel.[77][78][79][80][81] Roose was the father of the Wales international footballerLeigh Richmond[82] who died heroically in the 1916 Somme offensive. Leigh is commemorated at the Thiepval memorial in France.[83][84] The successor to Rev. R. L. Roose as Minister for the Tabernacle Chapel was Rev. B. Lewis.[85][86]
Rhys Prytherch (about 1914)
The Calvinistic Methodist Minister Rev. Rhys Thomas Pryddererch (or Prytherch) was a respected preacher in the Hay-on-Wye area. He volunteered for the infantry in 1914 but was rejected on medical grounds. On his fifth application he was accepted as a Private. He died within 10 days of arriving on the Western front.[87][88] He is commemorated on the Hay-on-Wye and Cusop War Memorial.[89][90][38][91]
The eventual reduction in the Tabernacle Chapel congregation size may be due to the small number of Welsh speakers in Hay-on-Wye and/or the nuanced theological differences with the nearby English speaking Chapels: Trinity Wesleyan Methodist (Oxford Road), Bethesda Primitive Methodist (Oxford Road), Ebenezer Independent Methodist (Broad Street), Salem Baptist (Bell Bank),[92]Quakers (Bridge Street)[93] and the Salvation Army (Lion Street).[94] Emigration to the United States by non-conformists seeking greater religious freedom was another factor. The dwindling congregation had to augment the meagre stipends given to Ministers.[45] The Tabernacle Chapel closed sometime in the 1960s. The last dated document is a 1963 list of preachers who were qualified and available to lead services when the regular Minister was unavailable.[95][96][97]
Pope Pius IX was the first Pope to be photographed in 1862
St. Joseph's Parish and Church, Hay-on-Wye (1892 - 1925)
Hay-on-Wye modern map (displayed at the Cheese Market)
Without a Roman Catholic church in Hay-on-Wye, the faithful assisted one another to get to churches[104] in Brecon,[105]Weobley,[106]Belmont[107] and Hereford.[108][109] From 1812, horse-drawn carriages running on rail, transported goods between Brecon and Hay-on-Wye. The track passed along the back of what would become the Tabernacle Chapel.[110][111] In 1864, the Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway was opened for passengers and goods, reusing the tramway track. Roman Catholic's that could afford train travel were able to get to Churches in Hereford and Brecon, until the line was closed in 1962.[104]
The origins of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Parish had a Celtic influence. Henry Richard Grant came from Scotland in 1892. Thomas Joseph Madigan came from Ireland in 1901, as did Rose Jones (née Fitzgerald) in 1926 and the Dewan family. Rose received the Papal award, the Benemerenti medal. Many third-generation descendants of the Victorian and Edwardian families are active parishioners today.[116]
Former flannel mill and home of H.R. Grant at join of Castle St and Belmont Rd
From early in the 20th-century and for the first time since the reformation, Roman Catholic Mass was celebrated in Hay-on-Wye. Regular house Masses were celebrated in the homes of the Grant's and the Madigan's on alternating Sundays. The Masses were served by the SecularPriests from Brecon (St. Michael's) or the Benedictines of Belmont (designated an Abbey in 1920).
Cheese Market in 1885 poster - (displayed at the Cheese Market)Cheese Market timeline poster - (displayed at the Cheese Market)
A combined cheese market and town hall was built in 1835 in Castle Street, on the site of a pre 17th-century Guildhall (formerly the Hay-on-Wye Town Hall).[144] The hired rooms were used as a Masonic lodge until 1972.[145][146] The upstairs door had "a curious peephole" and "a round circle of wood that can be slid sideways from the inside to check for intruders" alluding to secretive Masonic ceremonies.[147]
In 1901, Thomas Joseph Madigan (born 1878) was recorded as "a servant" in the Liverpool 1901 census. By 1909, he was a "stable hand" at Kinnersley Castle when he married Edith Adelaide James, daughter of the station master at Kinnersley railway station. They had two sons, Terrence and Desmond (aka Dessie), the brothers married two sisters Mildred and Gloria (née Harrison), respectively. By 1925, Thomas was a Councillor for Hay Town Council[148] and was a Justice of the Peace for Hay and Brecon.[149] Thomas owned two businesses in Castle Street (opposite H.R. Grant's shop), one selling car/bicycle parts, and petrol from the pavement. The other business was the Plaza Cinema (now Hay Cinema Bookshop). He also owned a garage (previously owned by J.V. Like) opposite the Swan Hotel.[150] Thomas gained his knowledge of car mechanics from a correspondence course.
Fr. Flannery's grave in Belmont Abbey, on the right, near the graveyard entrance
In 1925, Thomas acquired the lease from the local council for the two upper rooms over the Cheese Market which were used by the Market Street stall holders for storage. The smaller room was used as the Sacristy.[151][152] The larger room became the first St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Hay-on-Wye, and the thirdChristian denomination to use the rooms. Previously the rooms were used by the Wesleyan Methodists (before moving to Trinity Chapel in Oxford Road built in 1872) and the Independent Methodists (before moving to Ebenezer Chapel in Broad Street built in 1845).[45][153] St. Joseph's Parish was created sometime in the 1920s, probably when Bishop Francis Vaughan the Bishop of Menevia gave consent for Roman Catholic Mass to be celebrated in the hired rooms.
Colonel Abel Morrell of Wyecliffe, Miss Binney (who later became a Nun) and St. Joseph's first parish priest Fr. Herbert Flannery (from Belmont Abbey) spent months decorating and furnishing the dilapidated assembly room. They acquired surplus pews from Weobley[154] and Belmont. The Mass centre was served either by the Belmont clergy from 1926-30 and 1939-48 or the Brecon clergy from 1930-39 and 1948-59.[104] Current parishioners remember that the assembly room ceiling leaked when it rained. Eventually, the weight of roosting pigeons on the compromised roof structure caused it to collapse on to the altar below. The smell of the pigeon droppings remained long after the roof was repaired. Although the staircase was wide, transporting coffins up and down the steep staircase was challenging.[155][156][157] There was a public toilet in the market hall below the rooms. The assembly room became known as the "Catholic church on top of the public loo" - or similar wording![158][104]
Without a Roman Catholic school in Hay-on-Wye, Fr. John Brady (the "kind priest") introduced a catechism class on Saturday afternoons in the assembly room. Catechist Mrs Eileen Biddle is fondly remembered by current parishioners. In good weather she would transfer the class to her home overlooking the River Wye in Witney-on-Wye.[159][104][160] Eileen hosted garden parties to raise funds for the church. Mrs Eileen Ashton a convert was the ad-hoc caretaker, church cleaner, organist (playing the harmonium), diarist, mother to six children (including author Bridget Gubbins), she adopted and fostered children, fed the visiting clergy and was engaged in many altruistic activities.[147][161][158] Miss Chappell headmistress of the school in Capel-y-Ffin (and later Craswell school) led the congregation in hymn singing.[162][163]Benediction followed Sunday Mass on special occasions like Trinity Sunday.[147]
Mass attendance grew during World War II as Roman Catholic evacuees were billeted to Hay-on-Wye.[164] The military section of the Mid-Wales Hospital at Talgarth became a prisoner of war (POW) hospital.[165]German and Italian POWs are buried in the Hay-on-Wye cemetery.[166][167][168] Mass attendance was also increased by former Italian POWs who stayed in Wales. Ricuecio Biagio, Adeldo Raffaele and others lived and worked in a timber yard in Hay-on-Wye.[147][169][170]Polishrefugees also resettled to Hay-on-Wye. Mr Pyrzakowski (aka Kosky) had a clock and watch repair workshop in Hay-on-Wye. His wife was an artist and music teacher.[147]
On one occasion Fr. Patrick Shannon was called away after Mass on a family emergency, and had to leave the Blessed Sacrament. The bishop gave permission for John Grant and Thomas Madigan to watch and pray with the Blessed Sacrament in the period before collection.[104] In 1951, the Mass centre was formally registered for marriages. The first Roman Catholic marriage in Hay-on-Wye in more than four centuries, took place in St. Joseph's. Fr. William Cubley married Terrence Madigan (son of Thomas and Edith) and Mildred (née Harrison).[116][104][171][172]
In the late 1950s, John and Clive Grant, Des Madigan and other parishioners raised money to buy the Grade II listed Ashbrook House, in Church Street.[173][174][175][176][177][178] This was known as the oldPresbytery. The intention was to build a church in the grounds at some future date.[179][180][181] In October 1960, Bishop John Petit the Bishop of Menevia appointed Fr. Hugh Healy as the first resident Roman Catholic Parish Priest since the 16th-century. He lived in the old Presbytery.[182] Anecdotal evidence by current parishioners reveal that Fr. Healy celebrated a veryearly Sunday morning Mass at St. Mary's Chapel, Capel-y-Ffin, a distant outpost of the parish. He then rushed back to Hay-on-Wye to celebrate early Mass.[171] A Church Building Funding Committee was set up, achieving excellent results. External practical and financial support was provided by Cyfeillion Amgueddfa Cymru (Friends of National Museum Wales),[183] plus from the Sisters of Mercy and the school children they taught in Glenamaddy, Galway, Eire.
Fr. Healy's zeal for fund raising was tireless. He held monthly jumble sales on the lawn of the old Presbytery. He would drive around the UK (and Eire) to collect jumble, furniture and other items. He was affectionally known as 'Steptoe' and the 'King of the Totters'. He would often repair and renovate the items to make a few shillings for the parish. He made leather belts and wallets to order, and would sell them in Covent Garden, London.[116][104][184]
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
In 1967, rather than build a new church within the grounds of the old Presbytery, Fr. Healy purchased the Tabernacle Chapel, Belmont Road. The cost was £1,500, worth about £35,000 today.[185] It was refurbished, furnished, re-roofed and adapted for Roman Catholic use by the firm of architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport at a cost of £6,000 (at the time) leaving a debt over £3,000 (at the time). The architects specialised in modernising Catholic churches across South Wales.[186][187][188][189][190][191][192] The building contractor was Mr Percy Price of Hay-on-Wye. For the first time St. Joseph's R.C. Parish had its own Church building. On May 28, 1967 (Ascension day), the Church was blessed and opened by Bishop Petit who participated in the Second Vatican Council.[193] The ecumenical spirit of the Second Vatican Council was manifest by the attendance of local Clergy from other Christian denominations.[171]
Liturgy of the Eucharist - Taking, Thanking, Breaking, Giving.
In 1967, the PresbyterianRev. Dr Ian Paisley and other outsiders came to Hay-on-Wye to lead a group of protesters about the repurposing of the Tabernacle Chapel. Like the 1850 group of protesters who burnt effigies by the Hay-on-Wye clock tower, the group was small. He did not suffer the same fate as the Methodist Martyr William Seward, but he did endure the same lack of influence over the locals.[45]Richard Booth revealed that the outsiders did not reflect the view of the people of Hay-on-Wye.[171][184] In the spirit of ecumenism, Rev. Tom Wright a Presbyterian from Coleg Trefeca said he was pleased with the "link with the building’s past" and he was "pleased that God was still to be honoured on that spot”.[194][195][171][184][196]
Fr. Healy was a popular figure around town. He always had time to stop and talk, especially when walking his dog. He was a regular at the nearby Indian restaurant - he would have approved of Fr. Jimmy's annual curry night. Parishioner Des Madigan, recounts that Fr. Healy said he would "like to die with his boots on". He did, having to be carried from the altar in 1984, and dying soon after. Fr. Healy carved his name into the history of Hay-on-Wye, a revered and much loved character by the parishioners and the people of Hay-on-Wye.[171][184]
One of Fr. Healy's more eccentric parishioners also carved her name into the history of Hay-on-Wye. The author Lady Penelope Betjeman (wife of the Poet Laureate John Betjeman) would often "come into town on her pony and trap, wearing a chunky knitted jumper and jodphurs".[34]
St. Joseph's Church choir formed in the 1970s. The first organist was Des Madigan who was renowned for playing the organ loudly. Consequently, the choir were renowned for singly loudly, aka 'the Jumpers'. His wife Gloria later took over the organist role. They both gave piano lessons to local children including local pianist Anna Fry.[147][197][198] Recent choir members who are descended from the Madigans include alto Dawn Beethan and organist Julie O’Reilly.[199][104][171]
The old Presbytery was later sold, in order to purchase the new Presbytery adjoining the church in 1985. Parish Priest Fr. Patrick Murray, lived in a small flat in Oxford Road for a few months until the purchase was completed.[116] Monsignor Canon Clyde Johnson encouraged Bishop James Hannigan to purchase the house which was to become the new Presbytery, "bringing great joy and encouragement to the parishioners". The Presbytery was also used as a parish centre, important in a town with low capacity social venues. Additional Masses were celebrated in the house for ad-hoc family events. The house and the spacious gardens were used for parish social events.[116] The house flanking the new Presbytery was previously owned by John Grant (the grandson of Henry Richard Grant). The house on the other side of the Church was owned by another Roman Catholic, Mrs Rose Jones. The house that became new Presbytery was built in 1938 by Mr John Watkins of MiddleWood for Mr Ralph Jones, brother-in-law of Rose. The cluster of adjacent buildings was affectionally dubbed by Rose as 'Vatican City'.[116]
The garden outside the church dedicated to Our Lady, was created by former teacher Maggie Sims (British Empire Medal) during a COVID lockdown.[206] Hard landscaping was provided by John Darlison. Maggie (RIP) went to her reward in 2025.
In the 1990's, Pat Hammond took over as organist, and formed an ecumenical choir called the 'Holy Joes'. Decades later she still leads the choir, which support and encourage the congregation to sing at Mass. The 'Holy Joes' also participate in other local events.[207][208]
Fr. Jimmy organises an annual Curry night in Brecon for both parishes.[209]
Norman Keylock (and family) create spectacular Christmas and Easter devotional tableau scenes annually.
Sr Maureen Scrine - RIPRecently, parishioner Petro Birov[211][212] and Christina Watson exhibited their exemplary religious icons in St. Johns Chapel in Hay-on-Wye[213] and Hereford Cathedral.[214] Petro is the latest in the tradition of artistically gifted parishioners which includes Caitriona Cartwright (Stations of the Cross) and Sister Maureen Scrine NDS (The Sower sculpture).
2025 marks 100 years of the existence of St. Joseph's in Hay-on-Wye, originally in the Cheese Market and now Belmont Road.
2028 marks 200 years of Christian worship and "honouring God" in the Belmont Rd. Chapel and Church. The great Methodist hymnists are included in the St. Joseph's parish hymnal.[215]Anthems by three generations of the Wesley's are part of the 'Holy Joes' repertoire. The congregation of the Tabernacle Chapel may have sung "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" by Charles Wesley (and George Whitefield), "O Lord, thou art my God" by Samuel Wesley (who converted to Roman Catholicism) and "Lead Me, Lord" by Samuel Sebastian.
The interior curved roof is one of the few original Presbyterian architectural features following the refurbishment in 1967.[216][217][76] The curved roof is wagon-headed, where all the principal ribs are exposed and were originally varnished.[76]
The Madonna and Child icon was a gift to the Parish from Monsignor Canon Clyde Johnson.
The abstract coloured window glazing is the work of the Architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport.[217] The pews in use today were purchased in 1967. At the start of the new millennium, the windows either side of the chancel had deteriorated and had to be replaced with new window frames and stained glass. John Darlison ensured that the work was in keeping with the Hay conservation area requirements.
Another parishioner salvaged some of the original stained glass windows from a skip, repurposing some of the stained glass windows. The two large stained glass windows at the back of the church date to the 1967 refurbishment.
The church building is within the Hay Conservation area, but is not Grade II listed.[222][223] The conservation area includes the entire medieval town of Hay-on-Wye.[224]
Due to its heritage, the church is not orientated traditionally i.e. towards the east. The altar faces towards the west and the entrance towards the east. The 1878 architecture was based on the Classical and the 13th-century Gothic style of the gable entry type.[225][153] The wall along the nave on the left side (looking from Belmont Rd.) terminates with a stepped buttress carried up into a pinnacle.[76] The tower above the entrance has deep jambs and sunk heads. Above the doorway is a belfry and a 40 feet tall cornice.
The pitched roof is covered in Welsh slate (as are the Stations of the Cross) and local stone was used for the rock-face stone front wall (looking from Belmont Road). The front walls being square random with dressings of Grinshill and Ruabon stone.
Presbyterian Chapel in Belmont Rd (1932)-National Monuments Record of Wales: 6370888 - WPW038162St. Joseph's today with small parishioner car parks in front of the church and presbytery
The front has one large triple-light window, and one single window with plated tracery in the heads. The gabled front central pointed window has three simply moulded lights with three hexagons in the tracery. To its left is a single pointed window (looking from Belmont Road) with a straight head to the main light and a hexagon in the tracery.
Architect Richard Owen's church designs often included a spire and an upper seating area. Historical documentation states that the 1872 chapel included a framed and slated spire 20 feet high c.f. St. David's.[226][217] It is thought the unsafe spire was removed when the Church was repurposed in 1967. Original Methodist architectural documents state that the chapel measuring 41 feet by 30 feet and was designed to accommodate a congregation of nearly 260 i.e. 5 square feet per person. If the claim was valid, it suggests that there might have been an upper seating area c.f. Aberystwyth.[227][76]
Lady Penelope Betjeman (née Chetwode) (1910–1986), Roman Catholic who lived in Cusop Hill overlooking Hay-on-Wye.[240] English travel writer (and wife of Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman).[37] Penelope was influenced to become a Roman Catholic by Evelyn Waugh.[241]
Dr Thérèse Coffey (born 1971), Roman Catholic, former MP and visitor to St. Joseph's Church.[242]
Bridget Gubbins (née Ashton) (born 1947), grew up in Hay-on-Wye. Her family attended St Josephs Church over the Cheese Market. Bridget authored books on social history, travel writing and her memoirs "Hay before the bookshops or the Beeman's family".[36][244][161][158]
Hay-on-Wye & Cusop War Memorial - Henry Norman Grant - RIPHenry Norman Grant (1892–1916), eldest son of Henry Richard and Victoria Grant was declared missing in action on the first day of the Somme offensive. It was more than a year before his death was confirmed.[124][125][128][126]
Hay-on-Wye & Cusop War Memorial - Rhys Pryddererch - RIPRhys Thomas Pryddererch (or Prytherch) BA, BD (1883-1917), Calvinistic Methodist Minister. He volunteered in 1914 but was rejected on medical grounds. He declined the offer of a commission as an Army Chaplain. He wanted to serve alongside soldiers of the lowest military rank, without the privileges of an officer. Over three years, he applied four more times and was eventually accepted as a Private in the King's Regiment (Liverpool). He died within 10 days of arriving on the Western Front in World War I.[88][89][90] He was motivated by the parable "the last will be first, and the first will be last".
Easter tableau created by Norman Keylock (and family)
“Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 1:20
"My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call be blessed" - Luke 1:46-47
Prayer means ".. a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the through of despair.." - St. Therese of Lisieux
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Fr. Hugh Healy (left) with Bishop Petit (right)
Fr. Patrick Murray
Fr. Tim Maloney - lost an eye playing rugby.
Fr. Patrick Fitzgerald-Lombard
Fr. Jimmy - the current Parish Priest
Monsignor Canon Clyde Johnson
Welcome to Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Belmont Rd in Hay-on-Wye
St. Joseph's porch and entrance
Liturgy of the Eucharist - Altar servers Michael, Leo, Dan and Fr. Jimmy
Liturgy of the Word - The word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The sanctuary lamp, is placed before the Tabernacle as a sign of Jesus’ presence within
'The Holy Joes' - "Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy"- Acts 2:46
"To whom shall we go? You have the words of Eternal Life" - John 6:68-69
Christmas nativity tableau created by Norman Keylock (and family)
Stations of the Cross #11 - Jesus is nailed to the cross
Stations of the Cross #13 - The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
Stations of the Cross #14 - Jesus is laid in the tomb
Easter tableau created by Norman Keylock (and family)
“Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 1:20
"My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call be blessed" - Luke 1:46-47
Prayer means ".. a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the through of despair.." - St. Therese of Lisieux
Stations of the Cross #12 - Jesus dies on the cross
"Christ of compassion, you enable us to be in communion with those who have gone before us" - Brother Roger of Taize (RIP)
The Resurrection of Jesus - Praise the Lord! Alleluia.
Stations of the Cross #4 - Jesus meets His Mother
Petro's Ukrainian family are a blessing to our community
Icon Exhibition and Demonstration - Hereford Cathedral
Lockdown garden created by Maggie Sims - RIP
“The Sower” the work of parishioner Sister Maureen Scrine NDS (1931-2020)
Lockdown garden is dedicated to Our Lady
"One is nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth" - Dorothy Frances Blomfield
Lockdown garden
Lockdown garden
Roses and Hollyhocks flower bed
1st Sunday of Advent 2024: New Liturgical year, new Lectionary & new Altar Server: Dan
Epiphany Carol Concert 2025
Christmas tree donated annually by the O'Reilly's
Stations of the Cross #8 - Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
Maggie Sims BEM much loved and missed parishioner (RIP)
Stations of the Cross #3 - Jesus falls the first time
