St Winefride's, Holywell

Introduction

A Lady Chapel and a Shrine to St Winefride were added in 1911-12 by James Mangen of Preston. The present church replaced a chapel opened in 1808 at Ye Olde Star public house, where Catholics had long gathered under threat of suppression.

Architecture and furnishings

The exterior has ashlar to earlier work, otherwise cement rendered brick, with a slate roof and a neo-classical front with quoins, stepped forward and pedimented to centre with crucifix finial. The main part of the interior is Classical with flat ceiling and coved cornice, and an organ gallery over the lobby. The Shrine of St Winefride is in Byzantine style with foilated basketwork capitals linked across splayed corner, and a canopy to a statue of St Winefride by M Blanchart of Ghent (1881). The Lady Chapel at the NE end is in similar Byzantine style with ribbed segmental arched ceiling, and has a commemorative plaque to donor Gertrude Manners.

In the former Baptistery are the 5 remaining colourful banners (1896-8) by Baron Corvo of major saints including St Winefride. The sanctuary arch has Ionic pilasters with disproportionately large capitals and fluted inner sides. The church has a low cement rendered bell-tower at the liturgical SE end. The window to St John Fisher is notable among varied stained glass to the nave. The pilastered altar has been brought forward and has entombment depicted to centre.

Parish life

The Friends of the Parish Group aims to organise events for the enjoyment of parishioners and the wider community, some raising money for church funds or other charitable causes, others social events to build parish community spirit. The Parish Ladies Group is an informal, friendly group who get together monthly for a chat which usually involves lunch, afternoon tea, a theatre visit or outing etc. Parishioners are asked to contact the clergy or any SVP member if they know someone sick, in hospital, or housebound who would like a priest's visit.

Visiting

The church car park is intended for parishioners when attending Mass and other Church services. The church licences a limited number of car park spaces to non-parishioners on six- or twelve-month contracts.