St. Francis of Assisi, Nailsea

Introduction

The land on which the church is built had been purchased by the Franciscans in the 1950s and was donated to the Diocese/Parish.

History

The church has a small Memorial Garden where the ashes of some parishioners are interred. The church is open all day, every day for private prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. In 2000 the old wooden chapel, sometimes called 'The Hut', was demolished. The part of the site on which the church is built had for years been used as allotments. Building of the hall commenced on 4th January 2000.

Architecture and furnishings

The design included screens to partition off the sanctuary area for weekday social and community use. The screens in the church were later removed since the multi-functional use was no longer required. In 2000 a matching hall was built alongside the church and presbytery.

Parish life

A team of volunteers meets every week to maintain the grounds and do minor works. The joint parishes of Portishead and Nailsea successfully recruited and appointed a children's, youth and family worker. The parish was very supportive during COVID lockdown, with Mass said online by the parish priest.

For Baptisms, parishioners are directed to see one of the clergy or the Parish Pastoral worker. A celebration weekend for the Patronal Feast of Nailsea parish includes a talk on Pilgrimage and Saint Francis.