About
“I was not made a bishop to manage decline. I was made a bishop to make Christ known. We are here to stay, and we are here to grow.”
Bishop of Leeds
St Patrick’s Mission is a centre for Catholic renewal based in the centre of Bradford, West Yorkshire.
A cooperation between the Diocese of Leeds and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, it seeks to create a culture of Catholic spiritual renewal and missionary outreach in Bradford’s city centre.
It provides concrete works of Christian charity to the poor and destitute, as well as opportunities for inner-city evangelisation to those who visit, work and shop in Bradford’s city centre, and it is a place where people can reconnect with their faith through their Catholic history and heritage. The mission maintains a regular schedule of services throughout the week.
History
St. Patrick’s Mission is a centre of spiritual renewal focussed on evangelisation, formation, mission, and charity.
St Patrick’s is the oldest Catholic church in Bradford. The church was opened in 1853, built by Irish parishioners who had fled the famine in their native land to settle in the industrial West Riding of Yorkshire. In later years, the parish added a presbytery, convent and school, and the site has continued to play a significant role in the life of the community.
In 2009, because of the city’s changing demographics, St Patrick’s was made a subsidiary of St Joseph’s Parish and in 2012, because of increasing disrepair, the church was closed.
Daily services, however, continued in a small chapel in the adjacent presbytery building.
The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have been living at St Patrick’s since 2005. They use the presbytery as their friary. The convent is used for their work of evangelisation and of service to the destitute and homeless of the city.
Because of its central location, St Patrick’s is ideally situated to be a place of renewed investment in evangelisation and pastoral presence in the inner city of Bradford.
In 2018, in cooperation with the Diocese of Leeds, the Friars were given the responsibility to direct the Mission and implement its vision.
Their life and work was featured in the 2017 BBC One documentary,
“From Bronx to Bradford: Friars on a Mission.”
St. Patrick’s Mission is a centre of spiritual renewal focussed on evangelisation, formation, mission, and charity.
Contact Details
Address
1 Sedgefield Terrace, Westgate, Bradford, BD1 2RU
Call Us
01274 721989
Click here to email
Find Us
Parking
Free parking in the side streets behind St. Patrick’s church. Alternatively, use the car park on Rebecca Street.
Train/Bus Info
Train to Bradford Interchange Bus 617/618 to Sedgefield Terrace
Train to Bradford Forster Square
5 minute walk to bus stand (S1), 617/618 bus to Sedgefield Terrace