Golden Jubilee Celebrations of anniversary of the
Catholic Church of St David's, Mold.
Bishop Peter along with Bishop Emeritus Edwin Regan, parishioners and priests from around the Diocese of Wrexham celebrated the 50th Jubilee Anniversary of the Catholic Church of St David’s Mold during a special celebratory Mass. Also in attendance was distinguished guest, the Rt Hon David Hanson, Member of Parliament for Delyn representing the civic authority, government and state.
During the 1850’s, Mass was celebrated for the people of Mold at a small house and in 1860, the first small Catholic Church dedicated to St David was built on the site. A century later, plans were drawn up to build the current church and work began in January 1965. The Church was formally blessed and consecrated on the weekend of 12th & 13th November 1966, by the Bishop of Menevia, John Petit.
The 'Menevia Record' of the time described the church as, 'Built of hand-made, purple-rough rustic Leicestershire brick, with seating for 260 people and room for another 150. A 60-foot bronze bell-tower at the front of the church is the first feature noticed, housing a bronze bell and faced with a giant fibre-glass cross. Inside the church, the floor is vinyl-tiled to the altar of Darley Dale stone. The Altar is surrounded by wrought iron gates (now removed) and there are two side chapels, one of which is linked to the next-door convent. Eight stained glass windows, designed by a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey, line both the East and West transept walls. Above the church's entrance is a balcony for fifty people. The roof is of copper.'
The rustic Leicestershire bricks were said to cost one shilling and sixpence each and parishioners at the time were encouraged to 'buy a brick.' The church cost £45,000 to build.
During his homily, Bishop Peter gave thanks to the current parishioners and their priest Fr. Pius Matthew of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, remembering too all past parishioners and priests and the sisters of La Sainte Union who continue to serve them.
Special thanks was given to the Fransiscan Capuchin Friars at Pantasaph, who during the early life of the parish did pioneering work, serving the catholic faithful. Bishop Peter went on to say that we live in challenging times in the life of the Church but that St David stands as a witness to the faith of the people of Mold.
During the 1850’s, Mass was celebrated for the people of Mold at a small house and in 1860, the first small Catholic Church dedicated to St David was built on the site. A century later, plans were drawn up to build the current church and work began in January 1965. The Church was formally blessed and consecrated on the weekend of 12th & 13th November 1966, by the Bishop of Menevia, John Petit.
The 'Menevia Record' of the time described the church as, 'Built of hand-made, purple-rough rustic Leicestershire brick, with seating for 260 people and room for another 150. A 60-foot bronze bell-tower at the front of the church is the first feature noticed, housing a bronze bell and faced with a giant fibre-glass cross. Inside the church, the floor is vinyl-tiled to the altar of Darley Dale stone. The Altar is surrounded by wrought iron gates (now removed) and there are two side chapels, one of which is linked to the next-door convent. Eight stained glass windows, designed by a Benedictine monk of Buckfast Abbey, line both the East and West transept walls. Above the church's entrance is a balcony for fifty people. The roof is of copper.'
The rustic Leicestershire bricks were said to cost one shilling and sixpence each and parishioners at the time were encouraged to 'buy a brick.' The church cost £45,000 to build.
During his homily, Bishop Peter gave thanks to the current parishioners and their priest Fr. Pius Matthew of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, remembering too all past parishioners and priests and the sisters of La Sainte Union who continue to serve them.
Special thanks was given to the Fransiscan Capuchin Friars at Pantasaph, who during the early life of the parish did pioneering work, serving the catholic faithful. Bishop Peter went on to say that we live in challenging times in the life of the Church but that St David stands as a witness to the faith of the people of Mold.
