The Parishes of St. John the Evangelist, Chesterton & St. Wulstan’s, Wolstanton

The Parishes of St. John the Evangelist, Chesterton & St. Wulstan’s, Wolstanton

 St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church – Chesterton

At St. John’s, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse, inclusive, and generous congregation where community and fellowship thrive. Sunday Mass is well attended, and the joyful hymn singing echoes the sentiment of St. Augustine:

“He who sings, prays twice.”

After Sunday Mass, parishioners gather in the adjoining Parish Hall for refreshments. Once a month, the hall hosts a friendly fundraiser featuring home-made crafts, jams, and scones. St. John’s is currently served by Fr. John Waters, based at St. Wulstan’s in Wolstanton.

✝️ Historical Timeline of St. John the Evangelist

• c. 1900: According to local tradition, Mass was first celebrated in a miners’ hostel in Chesterton.
• 1923: A Mass centre opened in a hut on Liverpool Road, managed by clergy from Holy Trinity.
• 1926: A new chapel dedicated to St. John the Evangelist opened in a hall on Castle Street.
• 1948: Fr. Vincent Charles Lucas became the first resident priest.
• 1950: Fr. Tim Cronin was appointed and described the original church as “a wreck of a building.”
• 1956: Castle Street church became unsafe. Permission was granted to build a new hall and presbytery on Loomer Road. Cost: £11,000.
• 1977–1978: A new purpose-built church was constructed next to the Parish Centre.
• November 1, 1978: The church was blessed by Archbishop Dwyer on All Saints’ Day.
• 1980–2011: Served by several dedicated priests including Fr. Kemp, Clancy, Brown, Breslin, and Canon David Goodwin.
• 2012–Present: Now served jointly with St. Wulstan’s by Frs. Dykes, Davies, Chukka, and currently, Fr. Michael Miners.

🏛️ Architecture of St. John’s Church

Built between 1977–1978, the church is a polygonal red-brick structure with tall windows and a pyramid-style fibreglass spire. It connects directly to the presbytery and features:

• Exposed laminated timber trusses
• Wood-panelled sanctuary wall
• Decorative ceiling boss added by Fr. Breslin
• No significant historical fixtures, but designed with warm functionality and simplicity

📍 St. Wulstan’s Catholic Church – Wolstanton

Catholics in the Wolstanton area can trace their roots back to the 1880s, gathering in various houses and venues before establishing a permanent church.

• 1958: The foundation stone of St. Wulstan’s Church was laid, shortly after the local school opened.
• Late 1950s–1960s: A Lady Chapel and pipe organ were added.
• 1969: The church was consecrated by Bishop Cleary.
• 2004: Parishes of Wolstanton, Chesterton, and Knutton were officially amalgamated, fostering closer collaboration across communities.

🎶 Community and Ministries at St. Wulstan’s

St. Wulstan’s is known for its rich parish life and has supported a variety of faith-building groups, including:

• RCIA (since 1985) – for those joining or deepening their Catholic faith
• CAFOD & Women’s League (since 1987) – supporting global development and local service
• Parish Choir (re-established in 1994) – led by Dave West, enhanced by a new organ

The church continues to be a place of welcome, spirituality, and service under the current leadership of Fr. Michael Miners OCDS.

👤 List of Past Parish Priests

St. Wulstan’s, Wolstanton

If you would like to learn more about the parish history or discover how to get more involved in parish life, please don’t hesitate to speak to Fr. John Watersl or a member of the Parish Team.