Holy Rood Church, Barnsley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Holy Rood Church
53°33′03″N 1°29′03″W / 53.5507°N 1.4841°W / 53.5507; -1.4841
OS grid reference	SE 34279 06132
Location	Barnsley
Country	England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	CatholicBarnsley.co.uk
History
Status	Active
Dedication	Feast of the Cross
Architecture
Functional status	Parish church
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	13 January 1986
Architect(s)	Edward Simpson
Style	Gothic Revival
Completed	1905
Administration
Parish	Holy Rood
Deanery	Barnsley
Diocese	Hallam
Province	Liverpool

Holy Rood Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. It first opened its doors in 1905. You can find it in the town centre, near West Way. This beautiful church was designed by Edward Simpson and is considered a special historic building, known as a Grade II listed building.

History of Holy Rood Church

Early Beginnings

The story of Holy Rood Church began in 1800. About 40 Catholic people in the area wanted a priest. They met Father Vincent Louis Dennis, a French priest. He was teaching children in a nearby town. Father Dennis agreed to help the local Catholic community.

Father Dennis passed away in 1819. But the community kept growing. In 1822, they started building their first church. It was finished in 1824. This first church was quite simple and looked a bit like a barn.

Soon, more and more people joined the church. The small building became too crowded. So, in 1832, a second, larger church was opened. This new church even had schoolrooms in its basement. Later, a special school building was built in 1859.

Building the Current Church

The foundation stone for the current Holy Rood Church was laid in 1903. The church was officially opened in 1905. The parish priest also invited a group of nuns, called the Sisters of Mercy, to come to Barnsley. They helped the church with its work in the community.

The church is built on a high spot. Its tall spire can be seen across the Barnsley town centre skyline. The church was officially made sacred on May 14, 1919. It was designed by architects Edward Simpson and his son Charles Simpson from Bradford.

Church Design and Features

Holy Rood Church is built in a style called Late Victorian Gothic. It has a roof made of Welsh slate. There is a tall tower on the north-west side of the building. The tower starts as a square at the bottom. Then it changes shape to become eight-sided.

The stone spire on top of the tower has interesting gargoyles around it. These are carved stone figures. The baptistry, where baptisms happen, is on the south-west side of the main part of the church, called the nave. It has five sides.

Inside the church, you can see beautiful art. There are two marble sculptures. One shows a Pietà, which is Mary holding Jesus. The other is of Saint Patrick. There are also two stone sculptures of Saint Michael and Saint Anthony. Above these sculptures, there is a long band of carvings called a frieze. This frieze shows the Stations of the Cross.

At the back of the church, there is a special area for the organ. This is called the organ gallery. There is also a quiet area called the lady chapel in the south part of the church.

Churches in Barnsley Parish

Holy Rood Church is connected with Our Lady and St James Church in Worsbrough. Both churches share the same weekly newsletter. They are also served by the same priest.

Our Lady and St James Church in Worsbrough was built in 1902. It was designed by T. H. and F. Healey. This church was first an Anglican church and was dedicated only to Saint James. Later, it was sold to the local Catholics. They then rededicated it to Our Lady and St James. It is also a Grade II listed building, like Holy Rood Church.

Holy Rood Church holds Sunday Mass services at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Our Lady and St James Church has a Saturday evening Mass at 6:00 PM.

Images for kids

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  Our Lady and St James Church, Worsbrough

See also

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Hallam