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

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Coordinates: 52°04′29″N 3°07′37″W / 52.074774°N 3.127053°W / 52.074774; -3.127053
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St Joseph's Church
Church 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 designationConservation 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, Powys, Wales. Hay-on-Wye is known as the "town of books". 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 St. Michael's and St. Joseph's is Fr Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS. Fr Jimmy is a member of the religious order of the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.[4]

Canon Clyde Johnson, a retired Priest, also helps in the parish.[5][6]

Parish

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There are two regular Masses held in the church, one on Sunday morning at 9am and the other at 10am Thursday morning. The weekly newsletter contains details about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Exposition, Holy day Masses etc.[7]

Parishioners play an active part in the life of the parish community. The Parish Advisory Council includes parishioners with responsibilities for safeguarding, finances, maintenance and repair etc. Many parishioners are active as readers, eucharistic ministers, writing bidding prayers, church and altar linen cleaning, flower arranging etc. A garden dedicated to Our Lady was created during a Covid lockdown. Spectacular Christmas and Easter devotional scenes are created every year. The church organist leads the 'Holy Joes' an ecumenical choir that lead the music most Sundays and on special occasions in the local area.[8]

History

[edit]

For centuries, without a Roman Catholic church in Hay-on-Wye the faithful few had to travel by road, assisting one another 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.[9] They are 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.[10][11][12]

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

Early in the 20th century visiting Secular Priests from Brecon[13] and Benedictines of Belmont Abbey celebrated Roman Catholic Mass in the home of Mr Henry Richard Grant, Castle Street in Hay-on-Wye.[14][15][16][17][18][19]

The Cheese Market
The Cheese Market, Market St

In 1926, Francis Vaughan the Bishop of Menevia gave consent for the Roman Catholic Mass to be celebrated in the hired assembly room over the Cheese Market. Its previous use was as a Masonic lodge. The Mass centre was served by Brecon clergy. Anecdotally, current parishioners remember that the roof leaked when it rained, and the challenge of getting coffins up and down the narrow stairwell.[20][21]

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, parishioners raised money to buy a house which served as the (Old) Presbytery and had room for the building a church. In October 1960, Bishop Petit the Bishop of Menevia appointed Fr. Hugh Healey as Resident Priest and he lived in the (Old) Presbytery.[22] A Church Building Funding Committee was set up, achieving excellent results. As a small parish they also received external support. Like many Welsh parishes Cyfeillion Amgueddfa Cymru (Friends of National Museum Wales) provided support.[23] Support was also received from the Sisters and school children from the Convent of Mercy, Glenamaddy, County Galway. Fr Healey’s fund raising was tireless. It included monthly jumble sales on the lawn of the (Old) Presbytery. He would drive around the country to collect jumble, furniture and other items and became affectionally known as 'Steptoe'. He would often repair and renovate the items to make a few shillings for the parish. He would even make leather belts and wallets to order. Fr Healey always had time to stop and talk, walking his dog, in the nearby Indian restaurant etc.

Anecdotal evidence by current parishioners reveal that Mass was sometimes celebrated by Fr. Healey at Capel-y-Ffin, near Llanthony Priory. Roman Catholic Mass was first celebrated at Capel-y-Ffin in 1913. The house was eventually sold to a lay person, a Roman Catholic, and Mass was celebrated in the Capel-y-Ffin chapel up to the 1960's.[24] Capel-y-Ffin is currently being served from the Anglo-Catholic (Church in Wales), the pre-conquest church of St. Eigon, Llanigon, Wales.

New Presbytery
New Presbytery, Belmont Rd

Rather than build a new church, in 1967, the former Calvinistic Methodist chapel was purchased by Fr Healey for the bargain price of £1,500. It was 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. The refurbished building was blessed and opened by Bishop Petit on May 28th 1967 (Ascension day). Clergy from other Christians denominations were in attendance. Parishioners remember that Ian Paisley and other outsiders came to Hay to protest about the proposed new use of the building![25] In praise of Fr Healey, Richard Booth revealed that the outsiders did not reflect the views of the local residents. The Reverend Thomas Wright of the Presbyterian Church from Coleg Trefeca said “a link with the building’s past – pleased that God was still be honoured on that spot”.

An adjacent mid-war house was purchased in 1985 b Bishop James, and became the current presbytery.

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

Church interior

[edit]

Caitriona Cartwright carved the Stations of the Cross using local stone, inspired by the letter cutting of 18th century headstones.[26]

The abstract coloured window glazing is thought to be the work of the Architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport. The curved roof is one of the few remaining architectural features following the refurbishment.

Church exterior

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The church building is within the Hay Conservation area, but is not grade II listed.[27][28] 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.[29]

Past Parish Priests

[edit]

Fr Hugh Healey (RIP - 1984).[22]

Fr Martin McCormack (RIP - 1985).

Fr Patrick Murray (RIP - 1991).

Fr Peter Flanagan SCJ  (RIP - 2008).[30]    

Fr Ray Bunting.

Fr Tim Maloney RIP.[25][31]

[edit]
  • Welcome to St Joseph's
    Welcome to St Joseph's
  • Church entrance
    Church entrance
  • Fr Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS
    Fr Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS
  • Abstract coloured window glazing
    Abstract coloured window glazing
  • Altar
    Altar
  • Our Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament
    Our Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament
  • The Word of the Lord
    The Word of the Lord
  • "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
  • 11th Station of the Cross
    11th Station of the Cross
  • 15th Station of the Cross
    15th Station of the Cross
  • Norman Keylock's Christmas nativity
    Norman Keylock's Christmas nativity
  • Norman Keylock's Easter resurrection
    Norman Keylock's Easter resurrection
  • ... behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “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
    ... behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “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)
  • Madonna and Child
    Madonna and Child
  • The sower - Matthew 13:23
    The sower - Matthew 13:23
  • Icon Exhibition
    Icon Exhibition
  • Lockdown garden created by Maggie Sim's BEM[32] c.f. on the right in the top right-hand image
    Lockdown garden created by Maggie Sim's BEM[32] 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"
    "One is nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth"
  • Lockdown garden
    Lockdown garden
  • Lockdown garden
    Lockdown garden
  • Roses and Hollyhocks
    Roses and Hollyhocks
  • Fr Hugh Healy (RIP) with Bishop Petit (1973 RIP)
    Fr Hugh Healy (RIP) with Bishop Petit (1973 RIP)
  • Fr Tim Maloney (RIP)
    Fr Tim Maloney (RIP)

References

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  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. ^ "Canon Clyde Johnson - a resident's biography | Abbeyfield Brecon Society Blog". Abbeyfield. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  6. ^ The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Johnson, Clyde Hughes (2021). "Homily at the funeral mass of Seamus Cunnane" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Newsletter – St. Michael's Catholic Church, Brecon". Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  8. ^ "Brecon and Radnor Reporter - Service remembers life of vicar killed in Great War". Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  9. ^ "jumpers". Early Tourists in Wales. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  10. ^ "St Joseph's Church, Belmont Road, Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire". Peoples Collection Wales. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  11. ^ "English – Coflein". coflein.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  12. ^ "THE CHAPELS HERITAGE SOCIETY -Glasbury & Hay on Wye" (PDF). Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  14. ^ "Facebook - Castle St in the 1940's". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  15. ^ "Facebook - Castle St, 1920's". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  16. ^ Stuff, Good. "H.R.Grant including former Flannel mill to rear, Hay-on-Wye, Powys". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  17. ^ "Facebook - 1953 Photograph". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  18. ^ "Facebook - St Michael's Catholic Church Brecon". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  19. ^ "Facebook - Grants shop in Castle St". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  20. ^ "The Cheese Market, Hay-on-Wye - History Points". historypoints.org. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  21. ^ "Listed Buildings - Full Report - HeritageBill Cadw Assets - Reports". cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  22. ^ a b The Irish Digest. Irish Digest. 1962. p. 24.
  23. ^ "Friends of National Museum Wales - Cyfeillion Amgueddfa Cymru". friendsmuseumwales.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  24. ^ Attwater, Donald (1935). "The Catholic Church in modern Wales a record of the past century 1892-1977" (PDF). p. 187.
  25. ^ a b Taaffe, Frank (2011-05-05). "Athy Eye On The Past: Hay on Wye / Sean MacFheorais". Athy Eye On The Past. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  26. ^ "Feature in Landlove Magazine November 2017 | About". Caitriona Cartwright. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  27. ^ "Conservation Areas | Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority". Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  28. ^ "CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL" (PDF). September 2016.
  29. ^ "Hay-on-Wye - St Joseph". Taking Stock. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  30. ^ "The Journal of the Association for Latin Liturgy" (PDF). 2014.
  31. ^ "Presteigne". Hereford Times. 2002-01-17. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  32. ^ "Brecon & Radnor express - Royal honours for Brecon's best". 2021.
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