The Parish of The Holy Spirit, Heckmondwike
Parish Priest: Fr John Abberton. 18 Cemetery Road, Heckmondwike. WF16 9EB. Tel:01924 402579. Email: holy.spirit@sky.com
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Welcome to our parish web site.
The Church of The Holy Spirit is unique, being built in the Byzantine style with design features inspired by the great church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. It is actually described as "Byzantine-Romanesque" (see our history page)
The church was built by Fr J O'Connor (1914). The architect was C.E. Fox. In our well-kept grounds we have an outdoor shrine dedicated to Our Lady Queen of Peace. It also serves as a memorial garden to some of our deceased parishioners.
Next door to the church we have Holy Spirit Primary School, one of the best known schools in the area. To contact the school ring 01924 325712 or log on to the
School Website:
You are welcome to stay awhile and visit our history page. For details of weekly events please check our Parish Newsletter
NEW: Parish Events and Photographs. Check the link below.
See the links below. You can keep up with Catholic world news, look at the daily Mass readings and indulge in some bible study!
Fr. Abberton has a new blog. See below.
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Mass Times and Services
NEW: Please note changes to weekday Mass times and Confession times
Saturday Vigil Mass 6.00 pm.
Sunday Morning Mass 10.00 am.
Most weekdays Mass is celebrated at 9.00 am. Most Fridays (from 2012) we have a School Mass at 9.30 am (Excepting the last Friday of the month. Please check the weekly Newsletter for more details).
Confessions: Friday 6.30-7.15 pm. Saturday 5.00 - 5.45 pm (and by request)
Exposition: Tuesday-Friday 7.30-8.45 am (please check Newsletter).
Mass in the Extraordinary Rite (Latin): (From 19th June 2011) The First and Third Sundays each month at 4.00 pm (Please check the Newsletter), and the First Saturday of each month.
First Saturday Devotions: The first Saturday of the month. Mass at 11.30 am, followed by Exposition and Rosary. Those who attend are invited to eat lunch together (bring sandwiches-tea and coffee are provided)
Friday Mass with Healing Prayer: The last Friday of the month. We begin with Exposition at 6.30 pm, with Rosary at 6.55, and Mass at 7.30. The Mass is followed by prayer for healing. Please check the weekly Newsletter in case of changes.
True Life in God Prayer Group. The group is not meeting at this time. More details will be announced in due course.
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Fr J.O'Connor and G.K. Chesterton
Fr. O'Connor was the "model" for Chesterton's "Father Brown", the priest-detective. Chesterton wrote a poem on the flyleaf of a book he had borrowed from the priest. It begins;
"This is a book I do not like, take it away to Heckmondwike"
It was thought, by some, that Chesterton was received into the Catholic Church here in Heckmondwike. In fact he was received in the dance-room of the Railway Hotel in Beaconsfield (30 July 1922). By that time, Fr O'Connor had moved to St. Cuthbert's in Bradford. It was Chesterton's wife, Frances, who particularly requested that her husband's reception should be arranged by Fr O'Connor. He was assisted by Fr Ignatius Rice O.S.B.
Chesterton had thought that he might be received by Fr Ronald Knox. When he wrote to Fr Knox of his decision to be instructed (and received) by Fr O'Connor at Beaconsfield, Fr Knox replied in a humorous vein that he had admired Fr Brown's ability to neglect his parish, and trusted that this had been drawn from life!
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Liturgy and Prayer (Bishops of England and Wales)
Parish Newsletter
History Page
Catholic World News (CNA)
Daily Scripture Readings and Meditation
Parish Events and Photographs
Fr. Abberton's Blog
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