St Francis of Assisi, Bedworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church |
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| 52°28′43″N 1°28′13″W / 52.47868°N 1.47015°W | |
| Location | Rye Piece Ringway, Bedworth, Warwickshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Francis of Assisi |
| Dedicated | 1883 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bedworth |
| Deanery | Rugby |
| Archdiocese | Birmingham |
The Saint Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church is a special church located in Bedworth, Warwickshire, England. It's a place where Catholic people gather for worship and community activities. This church is part of the larger Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham. Father Michael Gamble is the current Parish Priest. The church also works closely with another nearby church, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Bulkington. A group of Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods also help out in the parish.
Contents
Church History
Building the First Church
The first St. Francis of Assisi Church opened in June 1883. It was built on a small side street called Rye Piece. At that time, some people did not fully understand or accept Catholics. The church was a simple, rectangular building made of traditional Victorian red bricks. It also had a small schoolroom on its west side.
How the Church Was Funded
The money to build the church was raised by the priest, Father Pius. He didn't get all the money from his small group of church members. Instead, he traveled around the country, asking for donations. More money for future building projects came from special prayers called novenas. These prayers were dedicated to Saint Peter of Alcantara and Saint Francis Xavier.
The Church Grows
In 1894, a school was built next to the church. It was big enough for about 150 students, aged 4 to 14 years old. Later, a new school was built, and the old school building became a nursery.
The church building itself was made larger and completed on September 4, 1923. This expansion happened after the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829. This law allowed many new Catholic churches to be built. The expanded church is a way to remember all the dedicated priests and church members from the past.
Father Francis's Impact
One very important person was Father Francis, who served the church from 1892 to 1912. He was well-known for his work. His French background helped shape the unique feel of the church. He bought land around the church to build a new school and a house for the priest. He also helped build homes for people and bought an old brewery to create a social club.
Before this, the Catholic community in Bedworth met in a disused shop and then a small chapel. Thanks to Father Francis and others, they finally had their own church. Interestingly, the main altar area, called the sanctuary, ended up at the west end of the church, opposite to where it was originally planned.
Schools Connected to the Church
- St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Primary School: This school helps prepare students for St. Thomas More Catholic School. St. Thomas More is located in the nearby parish of Our Lady of the Angels, Nuneaton.
