St Francis of Assisi, Bedworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church |
|
|---|---|
| 52°28′43″N 1°28′13″W / 52.47868°N 1.47015°W | |
| Location | Rye Piece Ringway, Bedworth, Warwickshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Francis of Assisi |
| Dedicated | 1883 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bedworth |
| Deanery | Rugby |
| Archdiocese | Birmingham |
The Saint Francis of Assisi church is a Catholic church in Bedworth, Warwickshire, England. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham. The current priest is Father Michael Gamble. The church works closely with the nearby Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church in Bulkington. A group of Sisters of Providence also help out.
Contents
The Church's Early Days: Building a Community
The church first opened its doors in June 1883. Back then, it was a simple, rectangular building made of red brick. It even had a small schoolroom attached. At this time, being Catholic was not always easy in England. People sometimes looked at Catholics with suspicion.
How the First Church Was Built
The money to build the church came from a priest named Father Pius. He didn't just get money from his small group of church members. He traveled all over the country, asking people for donations. More money was raised through special prayers called novenas, dedicated to Saint Peter of Alcantara and Saint Francis Xavier.
Growing the Church and School
In 1894, a school was built near the church. It was big enough for about 150 students, from ages 4 to 14. Later, a new school was built, and the old school became a nursery.
The church itself was made bigger and finished in 1923. This happened after the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. This law made it easier for Catholics to practice their faith. Many Catholic churches were built after this act.
Father Francis: A Special Leader
A priest named Father Francis was very important to the church's growth. He served from 1892 to 1912. He was well-known for his work. He bought land around the church to build the new school and the presbytery (the priest's house). He also helped build homes for people and bought an old brewery to turn into a social club. Thanks to his efforts, the Catholic community in Bedworth, which started in a small shop, finally had its own proper church.
Schools Connected to the Church
- St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Primary School: This school helps prepare students for St. Thomas More Catholic School in Nuneaton.
