St. Joseph's, Millfield

Introduction

The church was designed by the parish priest with Thomas Axtell. Saint Joseph's Parish, Millfield, was founded in October 1873.

History

In 1948 the parish numbered 7,279 souls, making it numerically the largest parish in the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Father John Rogers was responsible for building the present church; the first sod was cut at Easter 1906 and the church opened on 14 October 1907. The cost of the church was stated as being about £3,000. The church was consecrated in 1938, the first time a Catholic parish church had been consecrated in Sunderland since the Reformation.

In 1925 the Flemish Altar was erected. In 1928 the Sacred Heart Statue was given in memory of a parishioner. Electric light was installed and the hand-carved Communion Rail, designed by parishioner-architect William Dent, was installed. A new organ was acquired and installed and a new pulpit fitted in 1937.

The church was repainted, the Rose Window was re-coloured, and a £2,260 renovation was carried out on the organ, and the exterior was re-pointed and repaired. The S chancel chapel has stained glass Annunciation by Atkinson Bros, Newcastle. The interior has an alabaster octagonal font with shafts.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is in Romanesque basilica style with moulded concrete blocks made on site and a Welsh slate roof with terracotta ridge cresting. The foundation stone in the W porch is dated 23 July 1906. This Roman Catholic parish church was built in 1906-7. The church is in Romanesque basilica style with an aisled continuous nave and chancel with nave and aisle apses, and a west aisled porch. The church is an early example of the use of moulded concrete blocks made on site.

Parish life

The Saint Josephs Members Club operated from 1978 to 2013, sponsoring events, fundraisers, and community projects. The church offers catechism classes, prayer groups, and retreats to help parishioners grow in faith. The church actively engages with families, youth groups, and elderly parishioners. The first meeting of Saint Joseph's Conference of the SVP took place on 1 April 1891, followed a month later by the formation of a Young Men's Guild.

Regular events

A May procession through the streets was led by the parish's own brass band. Annual School Concerts were held in the Victoria Hall, with tea provided by the women of the parish. The school children took a train at Pallion Station for Cox Green on their annual school treat.