Church of St Winefride, Welshpool

Introduction

St Winefride's is a modern church with a steep slanting Swiss chalet-like roof and an interior of highly polished cedarwood arches.

History

In 1837 Andrea Parnesa persuaded Father Eugene Egan to travel from Shrewsbury once a month to celebrate Mass at his home. Andrea Parnesa moved to the Packhorse Inn in 1841 and converted an upper room into a chapel. In 1866 the converted chapel at the Packhorse Inn was constituted as the original Catholic Church in the town, dedicated to Saint Winifred. Mr. Parness died in 1860 and left the Packhorse Inn as an endowment for a future Catholic Church in town.

In the 1950s parish priest Father (later Canon) Earle set about building the new church through fundraising and private donations. Canon Earle served the parish for 26 years, died in 1976, and was buried in the cemetery opposite the church.

Architecture and furnishings

The church has two stained glass windows, one a rhombus made by the monks of Buckfast Abbey, depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe, a gift from Mr. R.W. Naylor. The Stations of the Cross are cut into Welsh grey slate, executed by George Thomas of Liverpool. The altar is made of three pieces of Sicilian marble. The gallery is reached by a spiral staircase, where a statue of Our Lady is carved in Spanish chestnut, grown and carved by Jonah Jones of Tremadoc.

Parish life

The Secular Carmelite Group meets weekly after the Monday morning Mass. The parish is served by a Parish Council. A Parish Finance Committee operates within the parish. The parish maintains a Liturgy Team. The parish prays for parishioners who are sick, housebound, in hospitals, hospices and care homes.

Visiting

Unregistered visitors can park for up to 2 hours using pay by phone. The Parish Room, built in 2009, is appreciated by local agencies and benefits from increased car park space.

Visitors to St Winefride's are directed to note the car parking arrangements on the Newsletter page. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Monday and Friday after Mass at Welshpool.