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St Winefride's Church
Eglwys Gatholig y Santes Gwenffrewi - St Winefride's Catholic Church, Holywell, Treffynnon, Wales 77.jpg
Doorway to church
Location Holywell, Flintshire
Country Wales
Denomination Roman Catholic
History
Founder(s) Society of Jesus
Dedication St Winefride
Architecture
Heritage designation Grade II listed
Designated 19 August 1991
Architect(s) Joseph John Scoles
Groundbreaking 1832
Administration
Deanery Flint
Diocese Wrexham
Province Cardiff

St Winefride's Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Holywell, Wales. It is also sometimes called St Winifred's Church. This church was started by a group called the Society of Jesus, often known as the Jesuits. It was the very first church in the United Kingdom to be looked after by the Vocationist Fathers. St Winefride's Church is considered a special building and is listed as a Grade II building. It was also the first church the Jesuits built in Wales.

A Look at the Church's History

The Jesuits began building St Winefride's Church in 1832. They were very active in the area. Later, in 1848, they also started St Beuno's College. From this college, they helped set up other churches. These included Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Rhyl. They also founded Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Llandrindod Wells.

At some point in the 1900s, the Jesuits passed the church over to the Diocese of Wrexham. This is the local church area it belongs to. On August 19, 1991, the church was officially named a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected.

On April 6, 2008, the Bishop of Wrexham, Edwin Regan, invited the Vocationist Fathers to take care of the church. They have been looking after the parish ever since.

Special Holy Places Nearby

St Winefride's Well

Inside the church's parish area, there is a very famous place called St Winefride's Well. This well is one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. It is a special shrine and a place where many people go on a spiritual journey, called a pilgrimage. The church helps to look after this shrine and any special items connected to it.

Pantasaph Shrine

Close to Holywell, in a village called Pantasaph, you can find another important place. This is the National Shrine of St Pio and St David's Church. It was started in 1852 by a group of friars called the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

The Parish Community

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Hawarden (1)
Sacred Heart Church in Hawarden, also served by the Vocationist Fathers

The Vocationist Fathers, who look after St Winefride's, also help out at another church. This is the Sacred Heart Church in Hawarden. The Sacred Heart Church was built by the Diocese of Wrexham in the late 1900s. It has one Sunday Mass service at 11:00 AM.

St Winefride's Church has several Sunday Masses. One is on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM in the main church. On Sunday, there are two services at the chapel of St Winefride's Well, at 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM. There are also weekday Masses. These are held at 9:30 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, weekday Masses are at 7:00 PM.

Beautiful Stained Glass Windows

  • St Winefride's Church chapel stained glass, Holywell

    Stained glass in the chapel

  • St Winefride's Church nave stained glass, Holywell

    Stained glass in the nave

  • St Winefride's Church aisle stained glass, Holywell

    Stained glass in the aisle

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