St Patrick Church

Introduction

The parish of St Patrick in Wolverhampton was founded in 1865 with the purchase of land and the building of the church.

History

In 1849 a school was opened by Dr Ullathorne, Bishop of the Central District, with a chapel dedicated to St George and St Patrick on the floor above. The foundation stone of St Patrick's Church was laid in 1866 by Father O'Sullivan at the corner of Littles Lane and Carberry Street. In 1948 the Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev. J Masterson dedicated the Compton pipe Organ in memory of those who lost their lives in the two World Wars. By 1964 the planned inner ring road meant the original location would have to be cleared, but a new site was identified and acquired adjacent to Heath Town Park. The development commenced in 1970 comprising a Church, Parish Hall and Presbytery, built on an old mine shaft with pile driving and a very deep foundation.

Architecture and furnishings

The ceiling of folded plasterwork is a modern conception of the historical baldachin, designed and constructed by Trumper brothers of Birmingham. The statues and Stations of the Cross were designed in Austria and finished in lime wood. A young-looking Saint Patrick is in an alcove flanked by specially designed stained glass windows, with a stained glass window representing creation above, featuring a red cross symbolising Redemption and twelve lights representing the apostles.

Music and liturgy

For many years the Polish community at St Patrick's in Littles Lane had a weekly Sunday Mass, and the Polish club behind the church sold delicacies. In 2011 new stained glass windows designed by Deb Lowe from Pendle Stained Glass were installed on the south elevation of the nave, illustrating 'the Life of St Patrick'. The name St Patrick was chosen for the new parish because there was already an Anglican Church of St George in Wolverhampton, and it was appropriate given the large percentage of Irish desiring a new Church.

Father Hall guided the parish through its formative years until 1893. The parish remembers and prays for the repose of the souls of Fathers Paul Orchard, Eric Woodhead, James Dutton, Patrick Cocklin, and Anthony Allport who served the Lord faithfully in the parish and hospital. Bridie Hanratty served as housekeeper at St Patrick's, initially at Littles Lane and later at New Cross, and was deeply loyal to the parish until her passing in 1996. The parish is truly multiracial and multicultural, blessed with people of many nationalities, including a sizeable Keralan and Filipino community of nurses.

For many years between 1972 and 1998 St Patrick's enjoyed the presence of two priests in order to cater for the pastoral and spiritual needs of the parish and the Hospital. Prior to 1972 a Catholic Chaplain would visit the Hospital from the nearby St Francis and St James Church in Wednesfield, once part of Our Lady's parish, Cannock Road.

Parish life

The Hope Community was formed in 1985 by three Infant Jesus Sisters after conversations with the parish priest and local residents. On 28th September 2017 Hope was presented with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service at a ceremony at St Patrick's church hall. The Emerald Club, at the edge of the parish, has been a gathering place for the Irish community since the late sixties, with a licence obtained on 12th December 1968.

The parish covers the areas of Heath Town, Springfield, Park Village, Heath Park, Hickman, Wednesfield Village, part of Wood End and Lyndale Park. The parish works closely with other parishes in the Wolverhampton Deanery, particularly St Mary & John's, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Corpus Christi and Saint Joseph.

After the St Patrick's Day Mass a reception is held in the parish hall, and the Emerald Club is also well patronised throughout the day. In 1970 St Patrick's Catholic Primary School opened on its current site in Graiseley Lane after the original site was required for redevelopment. Each November, the parish holds an annual Mass at the Emerald Club for its deceased members.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents are usually required to attend one or two baptismal preparation meetings. Adults prepare for Baptism through the RCIA course, which starts early October. Children not attending a Catholic school have their sacramental preparation course in the parish, with dates given in the Parish's Newsletter. The Parish Priest anoints the sick with the oil of the Sick and hears Confessions, especially before Easter.

From 2004 to 2011 Catholic Chaplaincy was the responsibility of Saint Patrick's, with support from Ss Mary and John. Since 2017, a lay chaplain has served New Cross Hospital, with priests from the Deanery providing sacramental care on an on-call rota. In February 1985, three Infant Jesus Sisters began working in the parish, doing hospital work and conducting a census in Heath Town.

Visiting

Sue Allen was honoured with a Benemerenti Medal at a special Mass at St Patrick's church. The parish has visited Croagh Patrick as a group.

The parish is grateful for every type of service and group, including the Friends of St Patrick, Parish SVP Group, Finance Committee, Liturgical Committee, Social Committee, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Readers, Altar Servers, and other groups. The old crib set from the original church is still in use every Christmas.