Saints Joseph and Teresa, Wells

Introduction

The church is the only L-shaped church in Wells. The chapel was opened on 15th October 1877 and dedicated to Saint Joseph and Saint Teresa of Avila.

History

The first public Papal Mass since the Reformation was celebrated on 16th July 1875. John Mercer contributed £1,300 to build a chapel in the convent grounds. In 1887 the chapel was extended with the addition of the current sanctuary. The church was consecrated on 31st July 1890.

The first annual outdoor Corpus Christi processions since the Reformation took place in 1914. The Carmelite sisters left Wells in 1972 to join the convent in Darlington. The Carmelite nuns closed their convent in Wells on 29th February 1972. In 1975 the nuns' choir became incorporated into the church as the side aisle. The chapel was built in 1877 when Carmelite sisters moved into the convent next door.

Architecture and furnishings

The baptismal font was donated in 1899 by Lady Turner. The stained glass window behind the Reredos was donated in 1907. Church bells were donated to mark the Golden Jubilee of Prioress Mother Catherine and blessed by Bishop Burton in 1909. The exterior of the church resembles the Slipper Chapel at Walsingham, and the barrel roof interior follows Pre-Reformation Somerset church roof designs.

Music and liturgy

The Choir and Organist lead the singing at the Sunday sung Mass and at the major festivals of the Church's year. The parish liturgy group meets regularly to consider the marking and celebrating of the Church's seasons. A children's Mass is held monthly.

Parish life

The parish has faith sharing groups that meet about once a month to discuss and share their thoughts. The parish has a well-stocked library in the narthex of the church where parishioners can borrow books. The parish supports those who wish to be received into the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The parish has an independent ladies group formed in 2016 with the objective of sharing regular monthly social get-togethers and caring for the community through visiting sick or lonely parishioners.

The parish has a voluntary band of flower arrangers, cleaners, servers, readers, ministers of Communion and musicians who support and enhance the liturgy. The parish has a parish priest who also serves Our Lady Queen of the Apostles, Cheddar, a combined congregation of some 300 souls.