St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Church |
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Church entrance
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| OS grid reference | NZ1682500986 |
| Location | Richmond, North Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | StJosephSFX.co.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founder(s) | Society of Jesus |
| Dedication | Saint Joseph Saint Francis Xavier |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 19 January 1993 |
| Architect(s) | George Goldie |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1868 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Northern |
| Diocese | Middlesbrough |
| Province | Liverpool |
St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Church is a special Roman Catholic church in Richmond, North Yorkshire. It's a Parish church, which means it serves the local community. You can find it between Newbiggin and Victoria Road, near the Richmondshire Cricket Club. This beautiful church was built in 1868. It was designed by an architect named George Goldie. The Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, started the church. Today, it is a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical building.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
In 1794, a priest named Fr Thomas Austin Lawson came to Richmond. He was from Downside Abbey. His job was to start a mission for the local Catholic people. He helped the community for twenty years. In 1814, he returned to his monastery and passed away that same year.
After Fr Lawson, a group called the Jesuits took over the mission. They sent a priest named Fr Robert Johnson. He served the church for a very long time, fifty years! He died in 1865. Later, in 1888, a special window was put in the church to remember him.
Building the Church
In 1866, Fr William Strickland became the new priest. He saw that the small chapel used by the earlier priests was too small. More and more people were coming to church. So, he asked the architect George Goldie to design a bigger church. This new church would be able to welcome everyone.
The church was finished and opened in 1868. Building the church and a nearby school cost a lot of money. This meant the church had a large debt to pay off.
Who Manages the Church
For many years, the Jesuits managed the church. But in 1961, they handed over the church's management. It was given to the Diocese of Middlesbrough. The last Jesuit priest there was Fr Edmund Swift. The diocese has been in charge of the church ever since.
About the Parish
Mass Times
St Joseph and St Francis Xavier Church has services every week. There are two Masses on Sunday. One is on Saturday evening at 6:30 PM. The other is on Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. There are also weekday Masses. These are held at 9:30 AM from Monday to Saturday.
The parish also includes St Mary's Wycliffe. At St Mary's, there is a Sunday Mass at 11:30 AM. Weekday communion services are at 9:00 AM from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, there is a service at 10:00 AM.
St Mary's Church
The priest of St Joseph and St Francis Xavier also serves St Mary's Church. This church is in Wycliffe, County Durham. It is close to Barnard Castle and Hutton Magna. St Mary's was built in 1848-49. It was originally a chapel for Wycliffe Hall. Now, the church is part of a retreat center called St Mary's Centre.
See also
