St. Joseph, Houghton (Brindle)

Introduction

The church is in simple classical style with sandstone ashlar and a slate roof. In 1721 Father William Placid Naylor established a chapel in the cottage next to the present presbytery.

History

In 1677 Alice Gerard of the Well gave ground for a chapel at Newhouse. In 1786 the present church was built by Father Lawrence Hadley. In 1977 the church was consecrated during the tercentenary of the parish. In 1986 urgent restoration work was discovered and the church closed for restoration estimated at £170,000.

In 1987 the church reopened after restoration costing £193,417.57. The interior includes an added south bay in Baroque style with large Corinthian demi-columns and an elliptical sanctuary arch.

In 1889 a new apse and altar were added. In 1896 the Lady Chapel was extended. In 1997-98 some of the '12 apostle' lime trees in front of the church were found to be diseased and removed. In 2010 the ramp and steps outside the front of the church were altered to improve access.

Architecture and furnishings

In 1900 a baptismal font was installed. In 1901 Stations of the Cross were installed. In 1944 a nativity window was shattered by a flying bomb and was not repaired until 1953. In 1949 electric lighting was fitted.

The church is dated 1786 on the north gable and was enlarged in 1832, 1889 and 1896. The pedimented north gable has a round-headed doorway with rusticated voussoirs and a Venetian window above with consoles to the sill. The pediment contains a quatrefoil panel lettered with the inscription 'Behold O Lord our GOD PROTECTOR ALL I will come into THY House I will worship towards THY Holy Temple in Thy FEAR 1786'. Side walls have tall round-headed windows with Gibbs surrounds.

The west side has rusticated quoins to the end of the 5th bay and a lean-to extension to the added bay beyond. The east side has a short transept with a semi-circular apsidal south end. The south gable has a blind oeil-de-boeuf in the apex and below this a lower sanctuary addition linked to the presbytery.

In 1893 pictures of St Benedict and St Lawrence were installed. In 1902 a Lady Chapel screen was erected as a tribute to Fr Wilfrid Brown. In 1931 oak panelling was added. In 1924 the parish held a Great Pilgrimage at Brindle for the tercentenary of Edmund Arrowsmith's release from prison.