St Patrick – Newport

Introduction

St Patrick's Church in Newport was built in 1962-63 by F.R.Bates, Son & Price of Newport, architects.

History

A Parish Mission was established in 1909 at 442, Corporation Road. The previous church, built in 1909 to serve workers at Lysaght's Iron and Steel Works, was of corrugated iron.

The first church, a semi-permanent structure of corrugated iron 'The Tin Church', was opened on the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1925. On 13th October 1924 Saint Patrick's was established as a separate parish. The Parish Folk Group has accompanied the Sunday Mass since 1976.

Architecture and furnishings

The interior decoration was by Jonah Jones. The expansive S (gallery) window of 1963 by Jonah Jones depicts St Patrick. Hanging mosaics to the rear sanctuary wall depicting Christ in Majesty and the emblems of the Evangelists are also by Jones. The church has a circular font of green granite.

The church has a free-standing altar set on steps within a large timber baldacchino. The church is built of orange-red brick with a red pantiled roof on deep eaves and reinforced concrete construction. Its cruciform plan comprises a large nave, transeptal projections containing side chapels, and a short narrow sanctuary with slightly splayed walls. Inside, seven-bay arcades feature concrete angular arches and projecting balconies with concrete fronts and open loops. The rear gallery has a projecting centre and a timber glazed screen below with central doors.

Music and liturgy

Holy Communion is taken to the homes of sick parishioners who are unable to attend Mass. A group of parishioners welcomes the congregation and provides hymn books, Parish newsletters and order of Mass sheets at the weekend Mass. Children of First Communion age and above assist the Priest at liturgical celebrations. Children from 6 months to 8 years are instructed in the day's Liturgy during Sunday Mass, with particular emphasis on the Gospel reading. During the month of November the parish celebrates a Mass for all those in the parish who have died in the past year and for their grieving families.

Parish life

The Institute of Charity, also known as the Rosminians, administers this parish. This is the only Rosminian-administered parish in Newport, with two further Rosminian parishes in Cardiff. Two parish teams, The International Ladies and The Gentlemen, clean the church on a fortnightly basis.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parishioners assist the Priest at Mass by reading the Liturgy of the Word and Bidding Prayers and by distributing Holy Communion. A volunteer-run shop in the church entrance hall sells Mass Cards, statues, rosaries, candles, and greeting cards.

Each year, the parish gathers for a Remembrance Mass for those who have died, to which all the bereaved are invited. Every week, during Sunday Mass and in the newsletter, the parish remembers the anniversaries of those who have died. Weddings at St Patrick's can take place any day from Tuesdays through to Saturdays.