Our Lady & St John - Heswell

Introduction

Our Lady & St John in Heswall, in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, opened its present church in November 1939. The church building shows Romanesque architectural influences. The church has a tower, a pantiled roof, and a mosaic tympanum over the main door.

History

The first church was an ex-army hut known as the 'tin church', in use from 1920. The Catholic Church Building Fund, Heswall was launched in 1919. The decision to found a separate mission was taken in September 1928 when the Catholic population topped 300. No. 12 South Drive was bought as a presbytery.

In 1938 a road widening scheme threatened the tin church, prompting the building of a new temporary church in a fortnight. An Altar Society was formed in October 1938 to furnish vestments and linen for the new church. In 1943 the first three rows of the church on the Gospel side were reserved for children at the first Mass on Sundays and Holydays. Between 1945 and 1976 much catechetical teaching was done by the F.C.J. nuns from Upton Convent.

The parish of Holy Family was created in June 1970 by separation from Our Lady & St John. The current organ was purchased in 1984. The Tower Bell is rung at the consecration during Sunday Masses.

Music and liturgy

A children's choir was formed in 1928, and soon after the tradition of the sung Mass was established with a choir singing in the 'Tin' church from a red-curtained recess.

Parish life

The parish has a children's area with toys and activity sheets. The parish's primary school is Ladymount Catholic Primary School, and its secondary schools include Upton Hall School, Saint Anselm's College, Saint Mary's RC College and St John Plessington Catholic College. Confirmation preparation for children in Year 8 and above is organised with Saint Winefride's, Neston.

A small group of parishioners take communion to those who are sick and housebound. Churches Together in Heswall brings local Christians together spiritually and socially, with a committee meeting every two months. The parish is part of the Shrewsbury Diocese Justice & Peace Commission, promoting J&P issues through links with CAFOD, Traidcraft and Wirral Foodbank, and supporting a Bishops School Project in Assam, India. The parish has a piety stall in the church porch selling cards and gifts such as rosary beads, candles, bibles, mass books and baptism gifts.

A group of parishioners provide tea and coffee after Sunday mass on a rota basis. The social committee aims to run a number of events each year with the main aim of building the community through shared experiences. The Welcome Ministry are members of the parish who are present at the entrance of church at busy services to welcome the congregation and resolve queries. A small group works to improve the gardens and borders around the church.

2nd Heswall Brownies was formed in 1967/8 with the 2nd Heswall Guides forming in December 1970. The parish has a history of fundraising events including the Christmas Draw, the St Patrick's Ball, The Women's Guild Fancy Fair and Flannel Dance and the New Year's Eve party. The parish has a history of serving public institutions, including the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, Pensby Convalescent wing of Clatterbridge Hospital and Thingwall Hall, Barnston. The parish continues to care for those in Murrayfield Hospital, Heswall House and Pensall House Old People's Homes, Trepassey, Cloverley, The Grange Nursing Home and Abbeyfield Residential homes.

The parish has a history of a daily Mass Crusade during the war years to pray for victory and peace. The parish has a history of First Communion first held in June 1930 and first Confirmations held in October 1932. The parish offers RCIA for adults interested in becoming a Catholic, with further information available from the Parish Priest.