St Joseph's Church, Dorking facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Joseph's Church |
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| OS grid reference | TQ 16266 48702 |
| Location | Dorking, Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | SJCC.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Dedication | St Joseph |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Completed | 1895 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Epsom |
| Diocese | Arundel and Brighton |
| Province | Southwark |
St Joseph's Church is a Roman Catholic church building in Dorking, Surrey, in the United Kingdom. It was first started in 1872. A powerful family, the Duke of Norfolk, helped to fund its creation.
The church is located on Falkland Grove in Dorking. It is the only Catholic parish church in the town. It is part of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
How It Started
For a long time, the Dukes of Norfolk owned a lot of land around Dorking. They were a Catholic family. They had their own special priests, called chaplains, who also helped local Catholics in the 1700s and 1800s.
The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk paid for the first church building. It was built on the land where Falkland Grove is today. In 1871 or 1872, a simple, temporary church was put up on Coldharbour Lane. Catholic schools were also started soon after this.
Building the Church
In 1895, the church was rebuilt. The famous architect Frederick Walters designed the new building. It was built where the old church used to stand. The Duke of Norfolk gave the land to the new church parish. He also helped pay for the building.
The church was built to remember Minna Fitzalan-Howard. It is designed in the Gothic Revival style, which looks like old medieval churches. The very first Mass (a church service) was held there on 26 June 1895.
A statue of St Joseph stands in the garden next to the church.
The Church Community
St Joseph's School
St Joseph's Church has a close connection with the nearby St Joseph's Catholic Primary School. This school is the only Catholic school in Dorking. It was founded in 1873, at the same time as the church, also by the Duchess of Norfolk.
From 1887, a group of Servite Nuns (Catholic sisters) ran the school. They continued to do so until 1970. In that year, the school moved to its current location on Norfolk Road.
Church Services
Since January 1, 2022, the church holds two main Masses each week. One is on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. The other is on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. Times might change for special holidays like Easter and Christmas.
See also
