Jump to content

St Joseph's R.C. Church, Hay-on-Wye

Add links
Coordinates: 52°04′29″N 3°07′37″W / 52.074774°N 3.127053°W / 52.074774; -3.127053
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St. Joseph's Church
The church front viewed from Belmont Rd
Map
52°04′29″N 3°07′37″W / 52.074774°N 3.127053°W / 52.074774; -3.127053
OS grid referenceSO2285242423
LocationThe Presbytery, 4 Belmont Road, Hay-on-Wye, Powys HR3 5DA
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationRoman Catholic
Previous denominationCalvinistic Methodist
Websitehttps://www.stmichaelsrcbrecon.org.uk/st-joseph/
History
StatusParish church
Founded1968
DedicationSaint Joseph
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationHay conservation area
Architect(s)F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport
StyleGothic architecture
Administration
ProvinceCardiff
ArchdioceseCardiff-Menevia
DeaneryLlandrindod Wells Deanery[1]
ParishSt Joseph's
Clergy
Priest(s)Fr. Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS

St. Joseph's Church is a Roman Catholic church in the town of Hay-on-Wye in Powys, Wales. St. Joseph's parish is in the Llandrindod Wells Deanery of the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia.[2][3]

St. Joseph's is served out of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brecon.[4] The Parish Priest for both parishes is Fr. Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS. Fr. Jimmy is a member of the religious order of the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.[4][5] Canon Clyde Hughes Johnson, now retired still helps in the parish and has done so for decades.[6][7][8]

Hay-on-Wye is a medieval town and is known as the "town of books".

Parish

[edit]

There are two regular Masses, Sunday at 9am and Thursday at 10am. The weekly newsletter contains details about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Exposition, Holy day Masses etc.[9]

Parishioners play an active part in the life of the parish. The Parish Advisory Council includes parishioners with responsibilities for safeguarding, finances, maintenance and repair etc.

Lay involvement includes: the ministries of reader, eucharist, hospitality and the weekly writing of bidding prayers, church and altar linen cleaning, flower arranging etc.

The church organist leads the 'Holy Joes' an ecumenical choir that lead the music most Sundays and on special occasions in the local area.[10]

The patronal feast day is celebrated annually with a social event organised by a parishioner.[11]

A garden dedicated to Our Lady was created by a parishioner during a Covid lockdown.

Another parishioner creates spectacular Christmas and Easter devotional scenes every year.

History

[edit]
Fr. Jimmy

For centuries, without a Roman Catholic church in Hay-on-Wye the faithful had to travel by road, often assisting one another to get to Brecon, Weobley, Belmont and Hereford.

In 1828, a Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist (Presbyterian Church of Wales) chapel was built in Belmont Rd. The congregation were known as the ‘Jumpers’ due to their energetic engagement in services, and enthusiastic hymn singing.[12] They were the precursors to the 'Holy Joes'. In 1872, a stone-built Calvinistic Methodist chapel was rebuilt on the same site at a cost of £700 in the Gothic style of the gable entry type.[13][14][15]

Flannel Mill part of H.R. Grant property, Hay-on-Wye
H.R. Grant on Caste St. including former flannel mill to the rear on Belmont Rd

In 1892, Mr Henry Richard Grant, a Roman Catholic, moved to Hay-on-Wye. He owned a shop in Castle St.[16][17][18][19][20][21] Sometime later visiting Secular Priests from Brecon[22] and the Benedictines of Belmont Abbey celebrated Roman Catholic Mass in his home.[23][24]

The Cheese Market
The Cheese Market, Market St.

In 1925, Councillor Madigan acquired the lease for the assembly room over the Cheese Market. In 1926, Bishop Francis Vaughan the Bishop of Menevia gave his consent for the Roman Catholic Mass to be celebrated in the hired assembly room. The previous use of the room was as a Masonic lodge.[25] Fr. Flannery from Belmont spent months decorating the assembly room, which was partially furnished with discarded furniture from Weobley[26] and Belmont. Colonel Abel Morrell of Wyecliffe and Miss Binney (who later became a Nun) also provided church furniture. Over different periods of time, the Mass centre (until 1959) was served by the Brecon clergy (1930, 1948) and the Belmont clergy (1926, 1939). Anecdotally, current parishioners remember that the roof leaked when it rained, and getting coffins up and down the narrow stairwell was challenging.[27][28] It took a while before the Mass centre could be registered for marriages. In 1951, the first Roman Catholic marriage since the 16th century took place in St. Joseph's parish. Fr. Cubley married Mr and Mrs Terrence Madigan. On one occasion Fr. Patrick Shannon was called away on a family emergency, leaving the Blessed Sacrament behind. The bishop gave permission for Mr J. Grant and Mr Thomas Madigan to watch and pray with the Blessed Sacrament in the interim period before collection. The need for a larger church was partially due to the number of evacuees moving to Hay-on-Wye during the Second World War.[23][24][29]

Chapel of St Mary the Virgin at Capel-y-ffin
Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Capel-y-Ffin
Old Presbytery, Hay-on-Wye
Old Presbytery, Church St.

In the 1950’s, John and Clive Grant, Des Madigan and other parishioners raised money to buy the Grade II listed Ashbrooke House,[30] which became the (Old) Presbytery. The grounds had space for the building of a new church. In October 1960, Bishop John Petit the Bishop of Menevia appointed Fr. Hugh Healey as the Resident Roman Catholic Priest, the first since the 16th century. He lived in the (Old) Presbytery.[31] A Church Building Funding Committee was set up, achieving excellent results. External practical and financial support was provided by Cyfeillion Amgueddfa Cymru (Friends of National Museum Wales),[32] and from the Sisters and school children from the Convent of Mercy, in Glenamaddy, County Galway. Fr. Healey’s zeal for fund raising was tireless. He held monthly jumble sales on the lawn of the (Old) Presbytery. He would drive around the country to collect jumble, furniture and other items and was affectionally known as 'Steptoe' and the 'King of the Totters'. He would often repair and renovate the items to make a few shillings for the parish. He made leather belts and wallets to order.[23][24][33]

Anecdotal evidence by current parishioners reveal that a very early Sunday morning Mass was celebrated by Fr. Healey at St. Mary's chapel, Capel-y-Ffin, near Llanthony Priory. He would then rush back to Hay to celebrate early Mass. Roman Catholic Mass was first celebrated at Capel-y-Ffin in 1913. The house was eventually sold to a Roman Catholic lay person. This facilitated Mass being celebrated in the Capel-y-Ffin chapel up to the 1960's.[34] Capel-y-Ffin is currently served from the pre-conquest church of St. Eigon, Llanigon, Wales(Anglo-Catholic,Church in Wales).

In 1967, rather than build a new church, the former Calvinistic Methodist chapel was purchased by Fr Healey for the bargain price of £1,500 - sadly it had become derelict. It was refurbished and adapted for Roman Catholic use by the firm of architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport at a cost of £6,000, including the re-roofing. The firm specialised in modernising Catholic churches across South Wales. On May 28th 1967 (Ascension day), St. Joseph's church was blessed and opened by Bishop Petit. Clergy from other local Christian denominations were in attendance. Parishioners remember that the Rev. Dr Ian Paisley and other outsiders came to Hay to protest about the proposed new use of the building. In praise of Fr. Healey, Richard Booth revealed that the outsiders did not reflect the view of the people of Hay. Fr. Healey was a popular figure around town. He always had time to stop and talk, when walking his dog, visiting the nearby Indian restaurant etc. Rev. Thomas Wright of the Presbyterian Church from Coleg Trefeca was pleased with the "link with the building’s past" and he was "pleased that God was still be honoured on that spot”. Parishioner Des Madigan recounts that Fr. Healey said he would "like to die with his boots on". He did, dying on the altar at St. Joseph's in 1984. Fr. Hugh Healey carved his name into the history of Hay, a revered and much loved character by the parishioners and people of Hay.[29][33]

In 1985, an important event in the history of the parish occurred. Following advice from Canon Clyde Johnson, Bishop James Hannigan purchased a house adjacent to the Church. This became the (new) Presbytery, "bringing great joy and encouragement to the parishioners". The house flanking the (new) Presbytery was owned by John Grant (the grandson of H.R. Grant). The house on the other side of the Church was owned by another Roman Catholic, Mrs Rose Jones. The house that became the (new) Presbytery house was built in 1938 by Mr John Watkins of MiddleWood for Mr Ralph Jones, brother-in-law of Rose. The cluster of buildings was affectionally dubbed by Rose as the 'Vatican City'.

Some would say that the origins of the parish are Celtic. Mr H.R. Grant came from Scotland in 1892. Mr Thomas Joseph Madigan came from Ireland in 1909, as did Mrs Rose Jones (nee Fitzgerald) in 1926. Rose received the Papal award, the Benemerenti medal. Many of their descendants are current parishioners.[23]

On the 12th June 1992 (Ascension day), the Silver Jubilee of the opening of St. Joseph's Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Daniel Mullins the Bishop of Menevia, the Dean and the Priests of the Deanery.[33]

Church interior

[edit]
Praise the Lord! Alleluia.
“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12

Caitriona Cartwright carved the Stations of the Cross using local Stone, inspired by the letter cutting of 18th century headstones.[35]

The abstract coloured window glazing is thought to be the work of the Architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport.

The interior curved roof is one of the few remaining architectural features following the refurbishment.

Church exterior

[edit]

The church building is within the Hay Conservation area, but is not a Grade II listed.[36][37]

Due to its heritage, the church is not orientated traditionally i.e. towards the east. The altar faces towards the west and the entrance towards the east. The architecture is based on a thirteenth century Gothic style.

The pitched roof is covered in Welsh slate and local stone was used for the rock-face stone front wall (looking from Belmont Rd).

The gabled front has a central pointed window with three simply moulded lights with three hexagons in the tracery. To its left is a single pointed window with a straight head to the main light and a hexagon in the tracery. The wall on this side terminates with a stepped buttress carried up into a pinnacle.

The right hand side at the front has a small tower containing the pointed main entrance door, with a bell stage above which tapers to a square cap with a bold corbel table. It looks like a spire was intended to be built, or the spire was built and has been lost.[38]

St. Joseph's Parish Priests

[edit]
Fr. Hugh Healy with Bishop Petit

Fr. Hugh Healey (RIP - 1984).[24][29][31][33]

Fr. Tim Maloney

Fr. Martin McCormack (RIP - 1984).[33]

Fr. Patrick Murray (RIP - 1991).[23][33]

Fr. Peter Flanagan SCJ (RIP - 2008).[33][39]    

Fr. Tim Maloney (RIP - 2013) IC.[40][41][42]

Fr. Patrick Fitzgerald-Lombard O.Carm.[43]

Fr. Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS.

[edit]
  • Welcome to St. Joseph's Church, Belmont Rd, Hay-on-Wye
    Welcome to St. Joseph's Church, Belmont Rd, Hay-on-Wye
  • St. Joseph's porch and entrance
    St. Joseph's porch and entrance
  • Liturgy of the Eucharist - Taking, Thanking, Breaking, Giving.
    Liturgy of the Eucharist - Taking, Thanking, Breaking, Giving.
  • Liturgy of the Word - The word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
    Liturgy of the Word - The word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
  • The sanctuary lamp, is placed before the tabernacle as a sign of Jesus’ presence within
    The sanctuary lamp, is placed before the tabernacle as a sign of Jesus’ presence within
  • Pat Hammond leads the Holy Joe's - "Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy"- Acts 2:46
    Pat Hammond leads the Holy Joe's - "Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy"- Acts 2:46
  • "To whom shall we go? You have the words of Eternal Life" - John 6:68-69
    "To whom shall we go? You have the words of Eternal Life" - John 6:68-69
  • Norman Keylock's (and family) Christmas nativity tableau
    Norman Keylock's (and family) Christmas nativity tableau
  • 11th Station of the Cross - Jesus promises his Kingdom to the repentant thief - Luke 23: 39-43
    11th Station of the Cross - Jesus promises his Kingdom to the repentant thief - Luke 23: 39-43
  • Norman Keylock's (and family) Easter tableau
    Norman Keylock's (and family) Easter tableau
  • “Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 1:20
    “Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 1:20
  • "My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call be blessed" - Luke 1:46-47
    "My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call be blessed" - Luke 1:46-47
  • Prayer means ".. a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the through of despair.." - St. Therese of Lisieux
    Prayer means ".. a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the through of despair.." - St. Therese of Lisieux
  • "Christ of compassion, you enable us to be in communion with those who have gone before us" - Brother Roger of Taize (RIP)
    "Christ of compassion, you enable us to be in communion with those who have gone before us" - Brother Roger of Taize (RIP)
  • Rosalind Grant (RIP - 27th Nov 1936)
    Rosalind Grant (RIP - 27th Nov 1936)
  • The sower - Matthew 13:23
    The sower - Matthew 13:23
  • Madonna and Child
    Madonna and Child
  • Petro's Ukrainian family are a blessing to our community
    Petro's Ukrainian family are a blessing to our community
  • Lockdown garden created by Maggie Sim's BEM[44] c.f. on the right in the top right-hand image
    Lockdown garden created by Maggie Sim's BEM[44] c.f. on the right in the top right-hand image
  • Lockdown garden is dedicated to Our Lady
    Lockdown garden is dedicated to Our Lady
  • "One is nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth" - Dorothy Frances Blomfield
    "One is nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth" - Dorothy Frances Blomfield
  • Lockdown garden
    Lockdown garden
  • Lockdown garden
    Lockdown garden
  • Roses and Hollyhocks flower bed
    Roses and Hollyhocks flower bed

References

[edit]
  1. ^ [1] from Diocese of Menevia, retrieved 27 September 2024
  2. ^ "Diocese of Menevia". 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  3. ^ "Catholic Province of Cardiff, Menevia, Wrexham & Herefordshire Directory and Year Book 2024 by CathCom - Issuu" (PDF). issuu.com. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  4. ^ a b "St. Michael's Catholic Church, Brecon – Eglwys Gatholig Sant Michangel, Aberhonddu". Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  5. ^ "Facebook - Rt Rev Dr Augustine Paikkattu, Superior General of MCBS with Fr Jimmy". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  6. ^ "Canon Clyde Johnson - a resident's biography | Abbeyfield Brecon Society Blog". Abbeyfield. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  7. ^ The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Johnson, Clyde Hughes (2021). "Homily at the funeral mass of Seamus Cunnane" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Facebook - Fr Jimmy, Sister Finnion and Monsignor Johnson". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  9. ^ "Newsletter – St. Michael's Catholic Church, Brecon". Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  10. ^ "Brecon and Radnor Reporter - Service remembers life of vicar killed in Great War". Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Facebook - St Joseph's Catholic Church, Hay-on-Wye". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  12. ^ "jumpers". Early Tourists in Wales. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  13. ^ "St Joseph's Church, Belmont Road, Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire". Peoples Collection Wales. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  14. ^ "English – Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  15. ^ "THE CHAPELS HERITAGE SOCIETY -Glasbury & Hay on Wye" (PDF). Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Facebook - Castle St in the 1940's". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  17. ^ "Facebook - Castle St, 1920's". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  18. ^ Stuff, Good. "H.R.Grant including former Flannel mill to rear, Hay-on-Wye, Powys". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  19. ^ "Facebook - 1953 Photograph". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  20. ^ "Facebook - St Michael's Catholic Church Brecon". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  21. ^ "Facebook - Grants shop in Castle St". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  22. ^ "Facebook - St Michael's Catholic Church Brecon". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  23. ^ a b c d e Murray P.P., Fr Pat (1992). "Hay-on-Wye". Menevia Journal: 214–215.
  24. ^ a b c d "Catholic life in Hay". Menevia Record. 7 (4): 5–7. Summer 1960.
  25. ^ "The Cheese Market, Hay-on-Wye - History Points". historypoints.org. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  26. ^ "St Thomas & St Bede – The Catholic churches of Weobley & Kington". Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  27. ^ "The Cheese Market, Hay-on-Wye - History Points". historypoints.org. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  28. ^ "Listed Buildings - Full Report - HeritageBill Cadw Assets - Reports". cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  29. ^ a b c "New Church in Hay-on-Wye". Menevia Record. 14 (2): 9. Summer 1967.
  30. ^ Stuff, Good. "Ashbrook House, Hay-on-Wye, Powys". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  31. ^ a b The Irish Digest. Irish Digest. 1962. p. 24.
  32. ^ "Friends of National Museum Wales - Cyfeillion Amgueddfa Cymru". friendsmuseumwales.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g "St. Joseph's Hay-on-Wye, 1967-1992". Menevia Record: 136. 1992.
  34. ^ Attwater, Donald (1935). "The Catholic Church in modern Wales a record of the past century 1892-1977" (PDF). p. 187.
  35. ^ "Feature in Landlove Magazine November 2017 | About". Caitriona Cartwright. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  36. ^ "Conservation Areas | Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority". Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  37. ^ "CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL" (PDF). September 2016.
  38. ^ "Hay-on-Wye - St Joseph". Taking Stock. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  39. ^ "The Journal of the Association for Latin Liturgy" (PDF). 2014.
  40. ^ "Father Tim Maloney". Hereford Times. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  41. ^ Taaffe, Frank (2011-05-05). "Athy Eye On The Past: Hay on Wye / Sean MacFheorais". Athy Eye On The Past. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  42. ^ "Presteigne". Hereford Times. 2002-01-17. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  43. ^ "Introduction - Fr Patrick Fitzgerald-Lombard". National Shrine of Saint Jude. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  44. ^ "Brecon & Radnor express - Royal honours for Brecon's best". 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=St_Joseph%27s_R.C._Church,_Hay-on-Wye&oldid=1251132300"