Francis Kilvert is a literary connection for the geographical area known as "Kilvert country" which includes Hay-on-Wye and nearby villages, especially, Clyro and Llanigon.[23][24][12]
Parishioners play an active part in the life of the parish. The Parish Advisory Council includes parishioners with responsibilities for safeguarding, finances, maintenance and repair etc. Lay ministries include: altar serving, catechist (including RCIA), reader, eucharistic minister, hospitality etc. Periodic activities include: preparation of bidding prayers, church and altar linen cleaning, flower arranging etc.
The Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist (now the Presbyterian Church of Wales) are the only nonconformist denomination indigenous to Wales. Following the Welsh Methodist revival in 1762, some Welsh Methodist congregations were nicknamed the 'Jumpers'.[26] In 1774, John Wesley preached in St John's Chapel in Hay-in-Wye.[27][28] His diary entry for the visit states "The Jumpers … they clapped their hands with the utmost violence; they shook their heads; they distorted all their features; they threw their arms and legs to and fro in all variety of postures; they sang, roared, shouted, screamed with all their might to the no small terror of those that were near them".[26] The Calvinistic Methodist denomination formerly separated from the established church, the Church of England (and thus the Church in Wales) in 1811, facilitating the ordination of their own ministers. The Calvinistic Methodist denomination was formally established in 1823.
In 1828, a Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist chapel was built in Belmont Rd,[29] Hay-on-Wye. The word "Tabernacle" in the church name emphasises the presence of God and the practice of Holy Communion.[30] The building of the new chapel was overseen by its minister Rev Dr Thomas Phillips. In 1834, the antiquary Samuel Lewis described the Hay Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist chapel as a "handsome place of worship". Many Calvinistic Methodist services were conducted in Welsh, however, it is not known what language was used in Hay-on-Wye. In the Welsh Marches it might have been English or Welsh. Samuel Lewis states that the Sunday school teachers from the Chapel taught a great number of the local children for free.[31] In 1836, after a decade as minister, Thomas Phillips left Hay-on-Wye to become the Welsh secretary of the ecumenical British and Foreign Bible Society.[32][33]
The Calvinistic Methodist minister Rev Rhys Thomas Pryddererch (or Prytherch) was a respected preacher in Hay-on-Wye and the local area. He died in 1917 within 10 days of arriving on the Western front.[45][46] He is commemorated on the Hay-on-Wye and Cusop War Memorial.[47][48][22][49]
The Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist chapel was closed, sometime in the early 1960s. The last known document is a pulpit supply list for 1963. A pulpit list is a directory of preachers who are qualified and available to lead services when the regular minister is unavailable.[50][51][52] In the late 1960s, the chapel was repurposed to become St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.[53]
St. Joseph's, Hay-on-Wye parish and church history
In 1892, Henry Richard Grant, a Roman Catholic, ran a newsagents and printing business[69][70][71] from 6 Castle Street,[72][73][74][75] Hay-on-Wye. Henry was married to Jane Victoria Grant (née Hughes). They had seven sons and two daughters. At the start of the 20th-century most parishioners attended Roman Catholic Mass in the Grant's home, served by the SecularPriests from Brecon or the Benedictines of Belmont (formally designated an Abbey in 1920). Families that sent their children to the Benedictine run Belmont Abbey school for boys (opened 1926, closed 1993)[76][77] or St. David's school for girls in Brecon (opened 1903, closed 2020) had the possibility of attending Mass in the schools. The school for girls was originally run by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit (from France).[78][79][80] From 1948,[81] the Ursuline Sisters (from Thurles, Ireland) took over the running of the school.[82][83][84][85][86][87]
Some would say that the origins of St. Joseph's parish is Celtic. Henry Richard Grant came from Scotland in 1892. Thomas Joseph Madigan came from Ireland in 1909, as did Rose Jones (née Fitzgerald) in 1926 and the Dewan family. Rose received the Papal award, the Benemerenti medal. Many of the descendants of the Celtic Victorian and Edwardian families are active parishioners.[91] Henry Norman Grant, eldest son of Henry Richard and Victoria Grant died heroically in 1916,[92][93] on the first day of the Somme offensive.[94] He is commemorated on the Hay-on-Wye and Cusop War Memorial.[95][96]
First Mass Centre
In 1925, Thomas Joseph Madigan, was a Councillor for Hay Town Council[97] and Brecon Town Council.[98] He owned a shop in Castle Street, Hay-on-Wye selling motorised vehicles, parts, petrol etc.[99] The shop was next to The Plaza Cinema (now Hay Cinema Bookshop) which later became J. V. Likes garage. Thomas Joseph Madigan acquired the lease for the assembly room in Market Street over the Cheese Market hall.[100][101] The parish of St. Joseph's was created sometime in the 1920s, possibly when Bishop Francis Vaughan the Bishop of Menevia gave consent for Roman Catholic Mass to be celebrated in the hired assembly room. The hired room was also used as a Masonic lodge until 1972.[102][103] Fr Flannery from Belmont spent months decorating the dilapidated assembly room, which was partially furnished with discarded furniture from Weobley[104] and Belmont. Colonel Abel Morrell of Wyecliffe and Miss Binney (who later became a Nun) also provided church furniture. Up to 1959 and for different periods of time, the Mass centre was served either by the Brecon clergy (1930, 1948) or the Belmont clergy (1926, 1939).[59] Anecdotally, current parishioners remember that the assembly room roof leaked when it rained, and getting coffins up and down the steep stairwell was challenging.[105][106][107] Fr John Brady (RIP-1975), the Parish Priest in Brecon introduced Sunday school in the afternoons in the assembly room. Led by Eileen Biddle, in good weather she would host the Sunday school in her home in Witney-on-Wye.[108][59][109] It took a while before the Mass centre could be formally registered for marriages. In 1951, the first Roman Catholic marriage in Hay-on-Wye since the 16th century, took place in St. Joseph's parish. Fr Cubley married Mr and Mrs Terrence Madigan.[91][59][110][111] On one occasion Fr Patrick Shannon was called away after Mass on a family emergency, and had to leave the Blessed Sacrament. The bishop gave permission for John Grant and Thomas Joseph Madigan to watch and pray with the Blessed Sacrament in the interim period before collection.[59] The need for a larger church building grew as evacuees were billeted to Hay-on-Wye during the Second World War.
First Parish Priest
In the 1950s, members of the Madigan family ran the “Plaza” cinema in Brook Street, now the “Hay Cinema Bookshop”, opposite the Swan and behind Like's garage. In the late 1950s, John and Clive Grant, Des (aka Dessie) Madigan and other parishioners raised money to buy the Grade II listed Ashbrook House, in Church Street, Hay-on-Wye.[112][113][114][115][116][117] This became known as the oldPresbytery. The intention was to build a church in the grounds at some future date.[118][119][120]
In October 1960, Bishop John Petit the Bishop of Menevia appointed Fr Hugh Healey as the resident Roman Catholic Priest for the parish, the first since the 16th century, he lived in the old Presbytery.[121] A Church Building Funding Committee was set up, achieving excellent results. External practical and financial support was provided by Cyfeillion Amgueddfa Cymru (Friends of National Museum Wales),[122] and from the Sisters of Mercy and school children from the Glenamaddy, County Galway.
Fr Healey's zeal for fund raising was tireless. He held monthly jumble sales on the lawn of the old Presbytery. He would drive around the country to collect jumble, furniture and other items and was affectionally known as 'Steptoe' and the 'King of the Totters'. He would often repair and renovate the items to make a few shillings for the parish. He made leather belts and wallets to order.[91][59][123]
Anecdotal evidence by current parishioners reveal that Fr Healey would celebrate a veryearly Sunday morning Mass at St. Mary's chapel, Capel-y-Ffin, a distant outpost of the parish. He would then rush back to Hay-on-Wye to celebrate early Mass.
First Parish Church
In 1967, rather than build a new church in the grounds of the old Presbytery, the former Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Belmont Road, Hay-on-Wye was purchased by Fr Healey for the bargain price of £1,500. It was refurbished, re-roofed and adapted for Roman Catholic use by the firm of architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport at a cost of £6,000, leaving a debt over £3,000. The firm specialised in modernising Catholic churches across South Wales.[124][125][126][127][128][129][130] The contractor for the building work was Mr. Percy Price of Hay. For the first time the parish had its own church. On May 28, 1967 (Ascension day), St. Joseph's church was blessed and opened by Bishop Petit. The ecumenical spirit of the Second Vatican Council was manifest by the attendance of local Clergy from other Christian denominations.[110]
The 'Holy Joes' choir was formed in the 1970s - the musical successors to the 'Jumpers'. Their organist was Des Madigan (son of Thomas Joseph Madigan). He was renowned for playing the organ loudly. Consequently, the 'Holy Joes' were equally renowned for singly loudly!
In 1740, William Seward, a lay preacher from the Calvinistic Methodist theological collegeColeg Trefeca, and other outsiders visited Hay-on-Wye to promote the Calvinistic Methodist/Presbyterian cause. A stone thrown from a hostile crowd of locals in Black Lion Green resulted in Seward receiving head injuries. It led to his death a few days later, becoming the first MethodistMartyr.[131] Current parishioners remember that in 1968, the Rev. Dr Ian Paisley and other outsiders came to Hay-on-Wye to protest about the repurposing of the Presbyterian chapel. Paisley did not suffer the same fate as Seward, but he did suffer the same lack of influence over the locals. Richard Booth revealed that the outsiders did not reflect the view of the people of Hay-on-Wye.[110][123] In the spirit of ecumenism, the Rev. Thomas Wright a Presbyterian from Coleg Trefeca was pleased with the "link with the building’s past" and he was "pleased that God was still be honoured on that spot”.[132][110][123]
Fr Healey was a popular figure around town. He always had time to stop and talk, especially when walking his dog. He was a regular at the nearby Indian restaurant - he would have approved of Fr Jimmy's annual curry night. Parishioner Des Madigan, recounts that Fr Healey said he would "like to die with his boots on". He did, having to be carried from the St. Joseph's altar in 1984, dying soon after. Fr Hugh Healey carved his name into the history of Hay-on-Wye, a revered and much loved character by the parishioners and the people of Hay.[110][123]
One of Father Healey's parishioners also carved her name into the history of Hay-on-Wye. Lady Penelope Betjeman (the wife of John Betjeman the Poet Laureate) used to "come into town on her pony and trap, wearing a chunky knitted jumper and jodphurs".[20]
First Presbytery adjoining the church
The old Presbytery was later sold, in order to purchase the new Presbytery adjoining the church in 1985. The Parish Priest at the time Fr Patrick Murray lived in a small flat in Oxford Road for a few months until the purchase was completed. Canon Clyde Johnson had advised Bishop James Hannigan to purchase the house which was to become the new Presbytery, "bringing great joy and encouragement to the parishioners". The Presbytery was also used as a parish centre, important in a town with limited capacity social venues. Additional Masses were celebrated in the house for ad-hoc family events. The house and the spacious gardens were used for parish social events. The house flanking the new Presbytery was previously owned by John Grant (the grandson of Henry Richard Grant). The house on the other side of the Church was owned by another Roman Catholic, Mrs Rose Jones. The house that became new Presbytery was built in 1938 by Mr John Watkins of MiddleWood for Mr Ralph Jones, brother-in-law of Rose. The cluster of buildings was affectionally dubbed by Rose as the 'Vatican City'.[91]
Fr Jimmy organises an annual Curry night in Brecon for both parishes.[138]
Norman Keylock (and his family) create spectacular Christmas and Easter devotional scenes every year.
The 'Holy Joes' choir are still flourishing more than 50 years since their formation. The current church organist Pat Hammond leads the ecumenical choir. They lead the music on Sundays and on special occasions in the local area.[139][140]
The garden outside the church is dedicated to Our Lady and was created by Maggie Sims (British Empire Medal)[142] c.f. on the right in the top right-hand image. Hard landscaping was provided by John Darlison.
2028, will mark two centuries of Christian worship on the Belmont Rd site.
Church interior
The interior curved roof is one of the few original Presbyterian architectural features following the refurbishment in 1967.[143][53]
In the late 1990s, Fr Tim Maloney commissioned a bespoke set of Stations of the Cross. Stonemason Caitriona Cartwright carved the Stations of the Cross using stone from local quarries. The text font was inspired by the letter cutting of 18th century headstones. Her other works includes a Baptismal font in a Wiltshire church.[144][145]
The abstract coloured window glazing is thought to be the work of the Architects F.R. Bates, Son & Price of Newport.[53] Around the start of the new millennium, the windows either side of the church had deteriorated and had to be replaced with new stained glass. John Darlison oversaw that that the work was in keeping with the Hay conservation area specification. Another parishioner salvaged some of the stained glass windows from a skip, and repurposed some of the stained glass windows. The two large stained glass windows at the back of the church date to the 1967 refurbishment.
Church exterior
The church building is within the Hay Conservation area, but is not Grade II listed.[146][147] The conservation area includes the entire medieval town of Hay-on-Wye.[148]
Due to its heritage, the church is not orientated traditionally i.e. towards the east. The altar faces towards the west and the entrance towards the east. The architecture is based on a thirteenth century Gothic style. The pitched roof is covered in Welsh slate and local stone was used for the rock-face stone front wall (looking from Belmont Road). The gabled front has a central pointed window with three simply moulded lights with three hexagons in the tracery. To its left is a single pointed window with a straight head to the main light and a hexagon in the tracery. The wall on this side terminates with a stepped buttress carried up into a pinnacle.
The right hand side at the front has a small tower containing the pointed main entrance door, with a bell stage above which tapers to a square cap with a bold corbel table.
Architect Richard Owen's church designs often included a spire and an upper seating area. It is possible that a spire was intended to be added, or it was added but has been lost e.g. St. Davids.[149][53] Shortage of interior space probably denied Owen the opportunity to include an upper seating area e.g. Aberystwyth.[150]
Lady Penelope Betjeman (née Chetwode) (1910–1986), Roman Catholic who lived in Cusop Hill overlooking Hay-on-Wye.[160] English travel writer (and wife of Sir John Betjeman, the Poet Laureate).[21] Penelope was influenced to become a Roman Catholic by Evelyn Waugh.[161]
Thérèse Coffey (born 1971), Roman Catholic, former MP and visitor to St. Joseph's church.[162]
Henry Norman Grant (1892–1916), eldest son of Henry Richard and Victoria Grant was declared missing in action on the first day of the Somme offensive. It was more than a year before his death was confirmed. Commemorated on the Hay-on-Wye and Cusop War Memorial.[92][93][96][94]
Francis Kilvert (1840–1879), Church in Wales curate at Saint Michael and All Angels, Clyro, author of the "Kilvert Diaries" which describes many visits to Hay-on-Wye area and nearby villages, his walking route from Clyro to Hay-on-Wye castle and/or Llanigon may have included Belmont Road.
Richard Owens of Liverpool designed up to 300 chapels, mostly in Wales and mostly Calvinistic Methodist.[149][150][165][166][167] After moving from Wales to Liverpool, he designed many buildings in Liverpool including 10,000 terraced houses. This included the family home of Ringo Starr (No. 9 Madryn).[168] Owens died in his home in Anfield Road, Liverpool at the age of 60 from gallstones and was buried in Anfield Cemetery.[169][170]
Welcome to St. Joseph's Church, Belmont Road, Hay-on-Wye
St. Joseph's porch and entrance
Liturgy of the Eucharist - Taking, Thanking, Breaking, Giving.
Liturgy of the Word - The word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The sanctuary lamp, is placed before the tabernacle as a sign of Jesus’ presence within
'The Holy Joes' - "Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy"- Acts 2:46
"To whom shall we go? You have the words of Eternal Life" - John 6:68-69
Christmas nativity tableau
11th Station of the Cross - Jesus promises his Kingdom to the repentant thief - Luke 23: 39–43
Easter tableau
“Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 1:20
"My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call be blessed" - Luke 1:46-47
Prayer means ".. a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the through of despair.." - St. Therese of Lisieux
"Christ of compassion, you enable us to be in communion with those who have gone before us" - Brother Roger of Taize (RIP)
The sower - Matthew 13:23
Madonna and Child
Petro's Ukrainian family are a blessing to our community
Lockdown garden
Lockdown garden is dedicated to Our Lady
"One is nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth" - Dorothy Frances Blomfield
Lockdown garden
Lockdown garden
Roses and Hollyhocks flower bed
1st Sunday of Advent 2024: New Liturgical year, new Lectionary & new Altar Server: Dan