St Joseph - Upton

Introduction

Work on the new Church of St Joseph's, Upton, started on 23 February 1953. The church was opened by the Bishop on 31 August 1954.

History

Construction began in February 1953 on a site opposite Upton Hall. In 1983 the church was redecorated again, the original pendant lights were removed, the sanctuary light was replaced and the reredos was altered.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is aligned north-east to south-west, set back from Moreton Road with a car park in front and gardens to the south-east side. The south-west front has a tall 3-stage tower with stepped clasping buttresses and a crenellated parapet. The interior has a dado of Blue Horton stone about 8ft high to all walls except in sacristies and choir gallery, with pale plastered walls above. The nave and narthex have brown and buff patterned quarry tile floors, sacristies have parquet floors, and the sanctuary has a travertine marble floor.

The enclosed baptistery, used as a small shop, is to the north-west side of the narthex. A stone spiral stair in the narthex leads to a choir and organ gallery with a wide camel-vaulted arch, tiered seating and original pews.

To meet town planning requirements, the church had to be set back 90 feet from Moreton Road, allowing a car park to be constructed in front. A spacious choir and organ gallery is formed over the Narthex, and three small sacristies are provided around the Sanctuary with provision for four side altars or shrines, two confessionals and a baptistery. It was intended to enclose the Narthex with a glazed wood screen when funds became available, but this was never completed.