St Anthony of Padua

Introduction

The first wedding at St Anthony's took place in December 1940. A parish priest served from 1939 to 1940. A parish priest served from 1940 to 1946. A parish priest served from 1946 to 1950. A part-time parish priest served from 2017 to 2018.

Music and liturgy

The church received the sacred relic of Saint Anthony of Padua from Saint Anthony's Basilica in Padua, Italy. The Parish Choir, formed by Father L. Kelly in the early 1970s, continues to sing the liturgy at alternate Sunday Masses. A music group, also known as the folk group, leads the music for Mass on alternate Sundays, singing contemporary church music.

Parish life

The parish has long been active in justice and peace work, raising funds and awareness for people worldwide who experience injustice. The parish supports Missio through a Red box collection for missionary work overseas. St Anthony's is one of several churches in the diocese that support the Life charity shop in Wolverhampton. A team of volunteers visits parishioners unable to come to church due to poor health, disability or other reasons, taking Holy Communion by request.

The parish has for many years been at the forefront of contact with local Christian churches through the Fordhouses and Oxley churches together group. The parish has 'welcomers' who aim to make everyone feel at home in the church. All refreshments served by the parish are fairly traded. The parish runs fundraising and social events, including a 50/50 club. Preparation for First Holy Communion and Confirmation is undertaken jointly between the parish and St Anthony’s Primary school.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Couples must give at least six months' notice for marriage preparation. In the event of a death, the parish priest is to be contacted on the parish contact number.

Visiting

The church is located at 41 Bee Lane, Wolverhampton, WV10 6LE. Approaching from Stafford, take the fourth turning on the left after the M54 (Vine Island). The church is accessible for people with mobility issues, with good wheelchair access and a wheelchair accessible toilet. The church has a functioning hearing loop system for hearing aid users with a T switch.

The archive includes a 1979 leaflet detailing all the activities and organisations in the parish, produced for the first parish census. The archive includes a 1983 leaflet updating activities and organisations, produced for the second parish census. The archive includes Saint Anthony's CookBook from 1984. The archive includes an order of service booklet for the induction of a new parish priest in 2018.

The archive includes a Pilgrimage of Hope walk booklet dated 3rd July 2025. The church has a parish bus.