Our Lady of Lourdes

Introduction

Our Lady of Lourdes in Hessle, within the Diocese of Middlesbrough, opened in 1951 as one of the first Catholic churches built in England after the war. Work on a permanent building started in 1939 but was abandoned due to the Second World War, with bricks used for air raid shelters.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is a brick building, contrasting with its wooden hut predecessor. A stained-glass window by Stephen Hunter of Retford, added for the golden jubilee in 2001, is titled 'The Stream of Life' and depicts water flowing from the sash of Our Lady of Lourdes into the hands of Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

Music and liturgy

The music group's members range in age from 10 to 70+ and in ability from relative beginner to Grade 8+. A choir of singers learns the hymns and liturgical songs in order to lead the congregation.

Parish life

The parish serves the widespread West Hull villages from Willerby, Kirk Ella and Hessle in the East to South Cave, Elloughton and Brough in the West. The parish has a Developing World Group. The parish is blessed with parishioners from many different parts of the world.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish offers Sacramental Preparation for Baptism, First Holy Communion and Marriage. Services are live-streamed for sick and housebound parishioners.

Visiting

The church and hall are both accessible for wheelchair users. Disabled parking spaces are provided in both church and hall car parks. A disabled toilet is available in the hall.

Visitors are greeted by Welcomers in the church porch at Sunday Masses, who show them where to find Mass leaflets and hymnbooks. There are refreshments in the hall after both Sunday morning Masses. The church car park has 16 spaces (2 disabled) and the hall car park has 13 spaces (1 disabled). Entrance to the church car park is from Swanland Road, and the hall car park is around the corner in Oaklands Drive.

Unrestricted parking is also available along Swanland Road and side streets. There is a bus stop just by the church on Swanland Road (East Yorkshire bus 150, North Ferriby to Hessle via Swanland). EY buses 25 and 66 stop in Hessle Square, a 10-15 minute walk from the church. The hall is located at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall, Oaklands Drive, Hessle, around the corner from the church.