St. Joseph's Church, Portishead

Introduction

Saint Joseph's Church in Portishead, within the Diocese of Clifton, was dedicated by Bishop Clifford on March 19, 1887. In 1907, the Conventual Franciscan friars returned to Portishead, making it the first friary of the Conventual Franciscans in Britain since the Reformation.

History

Bishop Clifford blessed the new Portishead friary on Sunday December 2nd, 1883. In 1888, the friars withdrew to Clevedon but continued to serve the parish until 1906, with a friar walking from Clevedon to say Mass. For about a year, Father (later Bishop) William Lee served Portishead from the bishop's residence at Leigh Woods. The house named Kenfield adjoining the church was purchased in 1936 and became the friary. In 1938, a Mass centre was established in the grounds of Ham Green Isolation Hospital.

Architecture and furnishings

In 1953-54, Saint Joseph's church was upgraded and the sanctuary area reordered by architects Whitmarsh-Everiss & Smithies of Bristol, with external sacristies also built. In 2006, the present hall was built beside the church with a lobby connecting the two, and a new west door was inserted. The gallery space was increased to include gallery seating, and a new staircase was built.

During the interwar years, marble altar rails were added along with an organ from America. Statues of Saint Francis and Saint Anthony remain in the church, both depicted in grey habits as is the habit of the Conventual Franciscans.

Parish life

St Joseph's School is part of the Newman Catholic Trust. The joint parishes of Portishead and Nailsea successfully recruited and appointed a children's, youth and family worker. The parish supports both the local community and the wider world in partnership with other local Christians and agencies.

Sacraments and pastoral care

For Baptisms, parishioners are directed to see one of the clergy or the Parish Pastoral worker. For Weddings, the Parish Priest should be contacted and at least 6 months notice given.

Visiting

Visitors can enjoy the neatly landscaped grounds, which offer a fine view of the Severn Estuary, and use the small car park at the rear of the church. The narthex has been greatly improved, and a new confessional has been added.