This web page is based on a short visitors' guide to
St Joseph's church compiled in
September 2002
by
Annette Stapleton
for the benefit of visitors to our church.

 

 

 

 

ST JOSEPH — Foster father of Jesus, the Son of God.
Guardian and Patron Saint of :-  the Universal Church; of Belgium; Canada; China; Peru;
of the Dying; Fathers of Families; Social Justice and of Working Men.

St Joseph’s Church on the Quay: Foundation stone laid 24th October 1881,
opened 22nd June 1882 by Bishop Clifford.

For a historical overview visit the history pages of this website.

Prayer and reflection: Traditionally Roman Catholic and other Christian churches
remain open during weekdays.

Kindly respect the quietness within the church.
 


INSIDE ST JOSEPH’S

The side entrance marks the original length of the church. On entering by this door turn left eastwards, then left again into St Joseph’s Chapel. Look above the altar and reredos to the circular stained glass window depicting the death of St Joseph in the presence of Christ and His mother Mary. The window commemorates John Joseph Scoles who died in 1863. He was the father of parish priest, Canon Scoles whose close friend Mr Hewitt, a wealthy but frail benefactor to the parish, donated the window.

Approach the altar. Note the beautiful stone work of the reredos designed by Fr Scoles in memory of his father. The left section seemingly depicts St Francis meeting with a leper, centrally are St Mary and St John at the Crucifixion, to the right the Holy Family engaged in their work. The lower carving recalls Christ breaking Bread at the Last Supper with St Peter and St John. Carvings either side are probably of St Leo, pope, and a religious sister with book, possibly signifying authority and religious life found in the Church.

Original tiling surrounds the altar. To the left a small stone plinth supports a recent, locally made woodcarving of St Joseph. The tribune (little balcony) originally with a shielding curtain, was built for Mr Hewitt, who resided in the presbytery. The plaque below, between the first and second station commemorates the death of Flt Lt Brendan Baker, who served here as an altar boy. The fourteen ‘Stations of the Cross’, donated by his family, can be seen along north and south walls.

The calvary commemorates The Rev George Brown DD, who served the parish during the 1914-18 War. The figures are St John and St Mary with St Mary Magdalen the penitent. St Anthony of Padua, patron of travellers, barren women and the poor and oppressed, stands on the north sill, and on the west St Catherine of Alexandria,  who is recognised by her emblem "a wheel", patron of philosophers, preachers and students The font was formerly in the corner with the niche in the wall for the holy oils used at baptism. The corner door, leading to a spiral staircase, formerly led to an organ loft situated across the main aisle, prior to the enlargement of the Church. 

Move down the main aisle to the west, with ‘Stations of the Cross’ to the right and left. Ahead is the original organ and organ loft with a fine centrally placed crucifix. This west-end area, formerly the site of a cottage, became a parish hall with schoolroom above. The church extension and new parish hall of 1982, were designed by Terry Moody. The sensitively designed and attractive modern stained glass windows offer excellent lighting. The main door and stone arch entrance were moved from the south wall (beyond the central stone arch) when the church was extended in 1982.

Walking up the aisle, note the high rose window to the right that featured above the original entrance. Notice high up on the north wall over the side entrance an empty niche. This used to be the doorway in the organ loft which led to a spiral staircase leading down to the church below. Until recently it contained a statue of Our Lady which was moved to the back of the north aisle after Mary's clothes had been changed from the traditional pale blue which Catholics associate with the mother of Jesus to an unusual dark blue. Before the church was extended in the early 1980s this statue stood on a stone plinth behind the font.

Look forward and upward to the rood: Christ Crucified with St Mary and St John, erected in memory of Catherine Marron, daughter of the Bridgwater harbour master and a parishioner who died in 1890. Continue up the nave. Set in the south wall are four traditional stained glass windows of St Gulienus Ebor, St Josephus, visionary St Margaret Mary Alacoque and St Clare foundress of the Poor Clares order. These commemorate Frederick York, who died in 1903, and Eleanor Clare York who died in 1888, his wife. Observe the fine detail of the Lilies of Purity, Sacred Heart and pyx with Blessed Sacrament in the hand of St Glare. It is said the plundering Saracens fled Assisi in 1244 when St Clare held aloft from her convent window the pyx and Blessed Sacrament.

In 1914 this small parish numbered 200, of these 80 were children. The Great War took its toll. The eleven lost are still remembered on the brass tablet below the windows.

By the pulpit a patterned window commemorates Phillip Hewitt who died in 1886, founder and invalid friend of Canon Scoles. The beautifully carved pulpit was purchased by voluntary subscriptions that included £3 from the Duke of Norfolk. At the fore the carvings draw our attention to Christ as the Good Shepherd, either side, feeding His sheep and spreading the Word, are probably St Peter and possibly St Patrick. An icon to Christ the Word of God and Teacher hangs above.

Turn to the marble and stone altar, with finely carved centrepiece of the Last Supper. Beyond is the original high altar with to the left a carving of Calvary with Mary and John, the right Abraham offering his son Isaac, with angel and ram, Genesis 22:1-18, and centrally, Pax, a modern carving, a symbolic circle — the unity of peace. The detailed stone work over the high altar covers the tabernacle on the altar. The east windows commemorate another Frederick York, died in 1865; centrally is Mary, mother and child, left and right St Aloysia and St Phillip. Rose windows on north and south walls recall the apostles and evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Leaving the main altar come to the baptismal font, above which hangs an icon of ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Succour’. The small plaque commemorates Pope John Paul’s visit to Britain in 1982.

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