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St. Joseph's is served out of St. Michael's [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]] in [[Brecon]].<ref name=":2" /> The [[Parish|Parish Priest]] for both parishes is Fr. Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS. Fr. Jimmy is a member of the [[Religious order (Catholic)|religious order]] of the [[Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=St. Michael's Catholic Church, Brecon – Eglwys Gatholig Sant Michangel, Aberhonddu |url=https://www.stmichaelsrcbrecon.org.uk/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Rt Rev Dr Augustine Paikkattu, Superior General of MCBS with Fr Jimmy. |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=3673643789616737&set=a.1505075546473583 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> Canon Clyde Hughes Johnson, now retired, still helps in the parish and has done so for decades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canon Clyde Johnson - a resident's biography {{!}} Abbeyfield Brecon Society Blog |url=https://brecon.abbeyfield.com/blog/canon-clyde-johnson-a-residents-biography/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Abbeyfield |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Johnson |first=Clyde Hughes |date=2021 |title=Homily at the funeral mass of Seamus Cunnane |url=https://www.menevia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Canon-Seamus-Cunnane.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Fr Jimmy, Sister Finnion and Monsignor Johnson |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3581236285524155&set=a.1440000756314396 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref>
St. Joseph's is served out of St. Michael's [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Church]] in [[Brecon]].<ref name=":2" /> The [[Parish|Parish Priest]] for both parishes is Fr. Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS. Fr. Jimmy is a member of the [[Religious order (Catholic)|religious order]] of the [[Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=St. Michael's Catholic Church, Brecon – Eglwys Gatholig Sant Michangel, Aberhonddu |url=https://www.stmichaelsrcbrecon.org.uk/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Rt Rev Dr Augustine Paikkattu, Superior General of MCBS with Fr Jimmy. |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=3673643789616737&set=a.1505075546473583 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> Canon Clyde Hughes Johnson, now retired, still helps in the parish and has done so for decades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canon Clyde Johnson - a resident's biography {{!}} Abbeyfield Brecon Society Blog |url=https://brecon.abbeyfield.com/blog/canon-clyde-johnson-a-residents-biography/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Abbeyfield |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Johnson |first=Clyde Hughes |date=2021 |title=Homily at the funeral mass of Seamus Cunnane |url=https://www.menevia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Canon-Seamus-Cunnane.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Fr Jimmy, Sister Finnion and Monsignor Johnson |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3581236285524155&set=a.1440000756314396 |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref>


[[Hay-on-Wye]] is a [[Middle Ages|medieval town]] and thanks to [[Richard Booth]] is widely known as the [[Book town|"town of books"]]. The town is the venue of the annual [[Hay Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Childhood Memories of Hay-on-Wye |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-mid-wales-hay-on-wye-phyllis-morgan-memory-archive-1906.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The UK's eccentric book-loving 'kingdom' |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220815-the-uks-eccentric-book-loving-kingdom |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hay-on-Wye Tourist Information Bureau |url=https://www.hay-on-wye.co.uk/tourism |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=www.hay-on-wye.co.uk}}</ref>
[[Hay-on-Wye]] is a [[Middle Ages|medieval town]] and thanks to [[Richard Booth]] is widely known as the [[Book town|"town of books"]]. The town is the venue of the annual [[Hay Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Childhood Memories of Hay-on-Wye |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-mid-wales-hay-on-wye-phyllis-morgan-memory-archive-1906.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The UK's eccentric book-loving 'kingdom' |url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220815-the-uks-eccentric-book-loving-kingdom |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hay-on-Wye Tourist Information Bureau |url=https://www.hay-on-wye.co.uk/tourism |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=www.hay-on-wye.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Eric Lewis Pugh |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-mid-wales-hay-on-wye-my-town-eric-lewis-pugh-archive-photos.pdf}}</ref>


The town is in the Hay Conservation Area<ref name=":9" /> and is in the foothills of [[Hay Bluff]] in the [[Brecon Beacons]] (Bannau Brycheiniog).
The town is in the Hay Conservation Area<ref name=":9" /> and is in the foothills of [[Hay Bluff]] in the [[Brecon Beacons]] (Bannau Brycheiniog).
Line 88: Line 88:


== Parish History from the 19th Century - First House Mass ==
== Parish History from the 19th Century - First House Mass ==
[[File:HayOnWyeStJosephsMill.jpg|alt=Flannel Mill part of H.R. Grant property, Hay-on-Wye|thumb|100x100px|H.R. Grant on Castle St. including former flannel mill to the rear on Belmont Rd]]In 1892, Mr Henry Richard Grant, a Roman Catholic, ran a newsagent and printing business from 6 Castle St, Hay-on-Wye.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Castle St in the 1940's |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1754385728261308&set=gm.3247324928868747&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Castle St in the 1920's |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2071801543186390&set=gm.3561022914165612&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stuff |first=Good |title=H.R.Grant including former Flannel mill to rear, Hay-on-Wye, Powys |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300007330-hrgrant-including-former-flannel-mill-to-rear-hay/photos/103638 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - 1953 Photograph |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10223848423531496&set=gm.3287370161530890&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - St Michael's Catholic Church Brecon |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1579189945899097&set=gm.3474815059453065&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Grants shop in Castle St. |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1579189945899097&set=gm.3474815059453065&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> Henry was married to Jane Victoria Grant (nee Hughes). They had 7 sons and 2 daughters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Life story: Henry Norman Grant {{!}} Lives of the First World War |url=https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1419447 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk}}</ref> Until 1925, visiting [[Secular clergy|Secular]] [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Priests]] from Brecon<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Facebook - St Michael's Catholic Church Brecon |url=https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelrcbrecon/?locale=fy_NL |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> and the [[Benedictines]] of [[Belmont Abbey, Herefordshire|Belmont Abbey]] celebrated [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Mass]] in the Grant's home.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Murray P.P. |first=Fr Pat |date=1992 |title=Hay-on-Wye |journal=Menevia Record |pages=214-215}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |date=Summer 1960 |title=Catholic life in Hay |journal=Menevia Record |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=5-7}}</ref>[[File:HayOnWyeStJosephsRosalindGrant.jpg|thumb|Rosalind Grant (RIP - 27th Nov 1936) daughter of H.R. Grant and Jane Victoria Grant (nee Hughes)]]The Grant's eldest son Henry Norman was in the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. H.N. Grant was one the 508 who died heroically on the morning of the opening day of the [[Battle of the Somme|Somme offensive]] in 1916. He was declared [[missing in action]] for more than a year, before his death was confirmed. He and other locals who died in action during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] are listed on the Hay-on-Wye and [[Cusop]] War Memorial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-05 |title=Border soldiers remembered in Battle of the Somme remembrance |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/14598909.border-soldiers-remembered-in-battle-of-the-somme-remembrance/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hay-on-Wye and Cusop War Memorial |url=https://ww1.wales/other-counties/breconshire-memorials/hay-on-wye-and-cusop-war-memorial/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=WW1.Wales |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HAY AND CUSOP - WW1 2nd plaque, Henry Norman Grant |url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/116443 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HAY AND CUSOP - Henry Norman Grant |url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/116443 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Life story: Henry Norman Grant {{!}} Lives of the First World War |url=https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1419447 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk}}</ref>
[[File:HayOnWyeStJosephsMill.jpg|alt=Flannel Mill part of H.R. Grant property, Hay-on-Wye|thumb|100x100px|H.R. Grant on Castle St. including former flannel mill to the rear on Belmont Rd]]In 1892, Mr Henry Richard Grant, a Roman Catholic, ran a newsagent and printing business from 6 Castle St, Hay-on-Wye.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Castle St in the 1940's |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1754385728261308&set=gm.3247324928868747&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Castle St in the 1920's |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2071801543186390&set=gm.3561022914165612&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stuff |first=Good |title=H.R.Grant including former Flannel mill to rear, Hay-on-Wye, Powys |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300007330-hrgrant-including-former-flannel-mill-to-rear-hay/photos/103638 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - 1953 Photograph |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10223848423531496&set=gm.3287370161530890&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - St Michael's Catholic Church Brecon |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1579189945899097&set=gm.3474815059453065&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Grants shop in Castle St. |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1579189945899097&set=gm.3474815059453065&idorvanity=1643375725930350 |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> Henry was married to Jane Victoria Grant (nee Hughes). They had 7 sons and 2 daughters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Life story: Henry Norman Grant {{!}} Lives of the First World War |url=https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1419447 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk}}</ref> Until 1925, visiting [[Secular clergy|Secular]] [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Priests]] from Brecon<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Facebook - St Michael's Catholic Church Brecon |url=https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelrcbrecon/?locale=fy_NL |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> and the [[Benedictines]] of [[Belmont Abbey, Herefordshire|Belmont Abbey]] celebrated [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Roman Catholic Mass]] in the Grant's home.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Murray P.P. |first=Fr Pat |date=1992 |title=Hay-on-Wye |journal=Menevia Record |pages=214-215}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |date=Summer 1960 |title=Catholic life in Hay |journal=Menevia Record |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=5-7}}</ref>[[File:HayOnWyeStJosephsRosalindGrant.jpg|thumb|Rosalind Grant (RIP - 27th Nov 1936) daughter of H.R. Grant and Jane Victoria Grant (nee Hughes)]]The Grant's eldest son Henry Norman was in the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. H.N. Grant was one the 508 who died heroically on the morning of the opening day of the [[Battle of the Somme|Somme offensive]] in 1916. He was declared [[missing in action]] for more than a year, before his death was confirmed. He and other locals who died in action during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] are listed on the Hay-on-Wye and [[Cusop]] War Memorial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-05 |title=Border soldiers remembered in Battle of the Somme remembrance |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/14598909.border-soldiers-remembered-in-battle-of-the-somme-remembrance/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hay-on-Wye and Cusop War Memorial |url=https://ww1.wales/other-counties/breconshire-memorials/hay-on-wye-and-cusop-war-memorial/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=WW1.Wales |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HAY AND CUSOP - WW1 2nd plaque, Henry Norman Grant |url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/116443 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HAY AND CUSOP - Henry Norman Grant |url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/116443 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Life story: Henry Norman Grant {{!}} Lives of the First World War |url=https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1419447 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook - Grave of H.N. Grant |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159826353879706&set=t.100014243195800&type=3&locale=en_GB |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref>


Some would say that the origins of the parish are [[Celtic Christianity|Celtic]]. Mr H.R. Grant came from [[Scotland]] in 1892. Mr Thomas Joseph Madigan came from [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in 1909, as did Mrs Rose Jones (nee Fitzgerald) in 1926. Rose received the [[Pope|Papal]] award, the [[Benemerenti medal]]. Many of the descendants of Celtic [[Victorian era|Victorian]] families are current parishioners.<ref name=":4" />
Some would say that the origins of the parish are [[Celtic Christianity|Celtic]]. Mr H.R. Grant came from [[Scotland]] in 1892. Mr Thomas Joseph Madigan came from [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in 1909, as did Mrs Rose Jones (nee Fitzgerald) in 1926. Rose received the [[Pope|Papal]] award, the [[Benemerenti medal]]. Many of the descendants of Celtic [[Victorian era|Victorian]] families are current parishioners.<ref name=":4" />

Revision as of 17:24, 27 October 2024

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic 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.[2] St. Joseph's parish is in the Llandrindod Wells Deanery of the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia.[3][4]

St. Joseph's is served out of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brecon.[5] 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.[5][6] Canon Clyde Hughes Johnson, now retired, still helps in the parish and has done so for decades.[7][8][9]

Hay-on-Wye is a medieval town and thanks to Richard Booth is widely known as the "town of books". The town is the venue of the annual Hay Festival.[10][11][12][13]

The town is in the Hay Conservation Area[14] and is in the foothills of Hay Bluff in the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog).

Hay-on-Wye is in the area known as "Kilvert country" which includes the villages of Clyro, Capel-y-ffin, Llowes, Glasbury, Llanigon, Painscastle, Clifford and Whitney-on-Wye.[15][16][17]

St Joseph's Parish

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.[18]

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 include the ministries of catechist (including RCIA), reader, eucharist, hospitality etc. Regular lay responsibilities include 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.[19]

The patronal feast day is celebrated annually with a social event organised by a parishioner.[20]

Fr. Jimmy organises an annual Curry night for both parishes.[21]

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.

Parish History - The nomadic years

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 churches in Brecon, Weobley, Belmont and Hereford.[22]

In 1828, a Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist chapel (Presbyterian Church of Wales) was built in Belmont Rd, Hay-on-Wye. The congregation were known as the ‘Jumpers’ due to their energetic engagement in services, and enthusiastic hymn singing.[23] 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.[24][25][26] In the 1960's the chapel was repurposed to become St. Joseph's Roman Catholic parish church.

Parish History from the 19th Century - First House Mass

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

In 1892, Mr Henry Richard Grant, a Roman Catholic, ran a newsagent and printing business from 6 Castle St, Hay-on-Wye.[27][28][29][30][31][32] Henry was married to Jane Victoria Grant (nee Hughes). They had 7 sons and 2 daughters.[33] Until 1925, visiting Secular Priests from Brecon[34] and the Benedictines of Belmont Abbey celebrated Roman Catholic Mass in the Grant's home.[35][22]

Rosalind Grant (RIP - 27th Nov 1936) daughter of H.R. Grant and Jane Victoria Grant (nee Hughes)

The Grant's eldest son Henry Norman was in the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. H.N. Grant was one the 508 who died heroically on the morning of the opening day of the Somme offensive in 1916. He was declared missing in action for more than a year, before his death was confirmed. He and other locals who died in action during World War I and World War II are listed on the Hay-on-Wye and Cusop War Memorial.[36][37][38][39][40][41]

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 the descendants of Celtic Victorian families are current parishioners.[35]

Parish History from 1925 - First Mass Centre

The Cheese Market
The Cheese Market, Market St.

In 1925, T. J. Madigan, who was a Councillor for Hay Town Council[42] and Brecon Town Council[43], had a shop in Castle St., Hay-on-Wye selling motorised vehicles, parts, petrol etc.[44] He acquired the lease for the assembly room in Market St. over the Cheese Market hall. Bishop Francis Vaughan the Bishop of Menevia gave consent for Roman Catholic Mass to be celebrated in the hired room. The previous use of the room was as a Masonic lodge.[45] Fr. Flannery from Belmont spent months decorating the dilapidated assembly room, which was partially furnished with discarded furniture from Weobley[46] and Belmont. Colonel Abel Morrell of Wyecliffe and Miss Binney (who later became a Nun) also provided church furniture. Up to 1959 and for different periods of time, the Mass centre was served by the Brecon clergy (1930, 1948) or the Belmont clergy (1926, 1939).[22]

Anecdotally, current parishioners remember that the roof leaked when it rained, and getting coffins up and down the steep stairwell was challenging.[47][48][49] Also fondly remembered is Fr. John Brady (RIP-1975), a highly esteemed teacher and the Parish Priest in Brecon. He introduced a Sunday School in the afternoons after Mass in the assembly room. They were led by Eileen Biddle, in good weather she held the school in her home in Witney-on-Wye.[50][22][51]

The need for a larger church grew as evacuees were billeted to Hay-on-Wye during the Second World War. It took a while before the Mass centre could be formally registered for marriages. In 1951, the first Roman Catholic marriage in Hay-on-Wye since the 16th century took place in St. Joseph's parish. Fr. Cubley married Mr and Mrs Terrence Madigan.[35][22][52][53]

On one occasion Fr. Patrick Shannon was called away after Mass on a family emergency, and had to leave the Blessed Sacrament. 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.[22]

Parish History from 1959 - First Parish Priest

Old Presbytery, Hay-on-Wye
Old Presbytery, Church St.

In the 1950's, members of the Madigan family ran the “Plaza” cinema in Brook St., now the “Hay Cinema Bookshop”. In the late 1950’s, John and Clive Grant, Des (aka Dessie) Madigan[54][55][56][57][58][59] and other parishioners raised money to buy the Grade II listed Ashbrook House, in Church St., Hay-on-Wye.[60][61][62] This became known as the old Presbytery. It was intended to build a church/chapel in the grounds at some future date.

In October 1960, Bishop John Petit the Bishop of Menevia appointed Fr. Hugh Healey as the resident Roman Catholic Priest for the parish, the first since the 16th century, he lived in the old Presbytery.[63] 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),[64] 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.[35][22][65]

Chapel of St Mary the Virgin at Capel-y-ffin
Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at Capel-y-Ffin

The conversion of the Caldey Island Benedictine monks to Roman Catholism in 1913 meant that the monastery built by the Anglican Father Ignatius (Lyne) at Capel-y-Ffin, near Llanthony Priory, was now owned by a Caldey monk. The property was sold to a Roman Catholic lay person. This facilitated Mass being celebrated intermittently at Capel-y-Ffin from 1913.[66] Anecdotal evidence by current parishioners reveal that in the 1960's a very early Sunday morning Mass was celebrated by Fr. Healey at St. Mary's chapel, Capel-y-Ffin, a distant outpost of the parish. He would then rush back to Hay-on-Wye to celebrate early Mass. Capel-y-Ffin is served from the pre-conquest church of St. Eigon, Llanigon, Wales (Anglo-Catholic, Church in Wales).

Parish History from 1967 - First Parish Church

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

In 1967, rather than build a new church in the grounds of the old Presbytery, the former Calvinistic Methodist chapel, now derelict, was purchased by Fr Healey for the bargain price of £1,500. It was refurbished, re-roofed and adapted for Roman Catholic use by the firm of architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport at a cost of £6,000, leaving a debt over £3,000. The firm specialised in modernising Catholic churches across South Wales. For the first time the parish had its own church. On May 28th 1967 (Ascension day), St. Joseph's church was blessed and opened by Bishop Petit. The ecumenical spirit of the Second Vatican Council was manifest by the attendance of Clergy from other local Christian denominations.[52]

The 'Holy Joes' were formed in the 1970's - the natural successors to the 'Jumpers'. Their first organist was Des Madigan (son of T.J. Madigan). He was renowned for playing the organ loudly. Consequently, the 'Holy Joes' were renowned for singly loudly! The ecumenical choir are still flourishing, under the direction of their organist Pat Hammond.[19]

In 1740, William Seward, a lay preacher from Coleg Trefeca, and other outsiders visited Hay-on-Wye to promote the Calvanistic Methodist cause. A stone thrown from a hostile crowd of locals resulted in Seward receiving head injuries leading to his death a few days later, becoming the first Methodist Martyr.[67] Current parishioners remember that in 1968, the Rev. Dr Ian Paisley and other outsiders came to Hay-on-Wye to protest about the repurposing of the Calvinistic Methodist chapel. Paisley did not suffer the same fate as Seward, but suffered the same lack of influence over the locals. Richard Booth revealed that the outsiders did not reflect the view of the people of Hay-on-Wye.[52][65] In the spirit of ecumenism, the Rev. Thomas Wright a Presbyterian 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”.[68][52][65]

Fr. Healey was a popular figure around town. He always had time to stop and talk, especially when walking his dog. He was a regular at the nearby Indian restaurant - he would have approved of Fr. Jimmy's annual curry night. 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 the people of Hay.[52][65]

The old Presbytery was later sold, the Parish Priest at the time Fr. Patrick Murray lived in a small flat in Oxford Rd for a short time, in anticipation of the move into the new Presbytery. In the Spring of 1985, following advice from Canon Clyde Johnson, Bishop James Hannigan purchased a house adjacent to the Church which 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 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'.[35]

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.[65]

Church interior

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.[69]

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

The church building is within the Hay Conservation area, but is not Grade II listed.[14][70]

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.[71]

St. Joseph's Parish Priests

Fr. Hugh Healy (left) with Bishop Petit (right)
Fr. Jimmy

Fr. Hugh Healey (RIP - 1984).[22][52][63][65]

Fr. Tim Maloney lost an eye playing rugby.

Fr. Martin McCormack (RIP - 1984).[65]

Fr. Patrick Murray (RIP - 1991).[35][65]

Fr. Peter Flanagan SCJ (RIP - 2008).[65][72][73]  

Fr. Tim Maloney (RIP - 2013) IC.[74][75][76]

Fr. Patrick Fitzgerald-Lombard O.Carm.[77]

Fr. Jimmy Sebastian Pulickakunnel MCBS.[34]

  • 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
  • 'The Holy Joes' - "Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy"- Acts 2:46
    'The Holy Joes' - "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)
  • 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 Sims (British Empire Medal)[78] c.f. on the right in the top right-hand image
    Lockdown garden created by Maggie Sims (British Empire Medal)[78] 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

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