Welcome To Our Website
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About Us
We are delighted to welcome you to one of Chester’s oldest Roman Catholic Churches, St Francis of Assisi. Set in the heart of Chester City Centre, near the Grosvenor Museum and Race Course, it was originally built for the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. The construction of St Francis Church began in 1862 and was finally finished in 1875. It is now a thriving city Catholic Church serving a wide community over the Chester area.
Take a virtual tour of our beautiful Church on-line or printout the tour guide and visit us. See our Tour page.
For further information a book 'Franciscans In Chester' detailing the history of our Church has been published on our website. See our History page.
Mass Schedule ChangesSunday 6th September 2026
Following consultations a revised schedule of masses will come into effect from Sunday 6th September 2026. See the poster below for the full schedule and more information.
Contact Us
The Brothers
- Brother Piotr (Parish Priest & Guardian)
- Brother John
- Brother Loarne
- Brother Francis
- Brother Jim
- [email protected]
- 01244 351331
- St Francis of Assisi RC Church
- Grosvenor Street
- Chester
- Cheshire
- CH1 2BN
- St Francis Church Safeguarding Representative: Ronald Keating
- Contact Number: 01244 351331
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese of Shrewsbury Safeguarding office:https://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/safeguarding/
- Email: [email protected]
- Safeguarding Lead: Br. James Boner OFM Cap.
- Contact Number: 01322 444960
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://capgb.org/
- Religious Life Safeguarding Service: https://religioussafeguarding.org/
- Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency: https://catholicsafeguarding.org.uk/
- Car park is for Church and Hall use only.
- Park your car prudently using every available space. For those who are arriving first please use the spaces against the wall not the front spaces.
- Any regular parishioners using the car park out of service time must inform one of the brothers using any medium of communication to avoid confusions.
- Friday 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Saturday 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Saturday 6:00pm - 6:30pm (From Saturday 7th January 2023)
- Confessions available on request. As long as there is a Priest available within the Friary the sacrament of reconciliation can be heard any time by going to the green door in the car park.
Changes In Our Friary Community
On 17 September 2026, there were some changes in our friary community. Br. Jinson left Chester and moved to Oxford, where he began his new ministry as Guardian of the Capuchin community. We thank him warmly for his ministry among us and assure him of our prayers as he begins this new responsibility.
At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Br. John Cavanagh to our community. Br John was born in Chester and most recently has been ministering in Durham. In a sense, he is coming home, and we looked forward to welcoming him back to Chester and to St Francis.
Please keep both Br Jinson and Br John in your prayers during this time of transition.
Telephone (Not To Be Used For Business Calls)
Postal Address (For Business And Personal Use)
Important Safeguarding Information
Below is the contact number, email address and links for further information on Safeguarding
OFM Capuchin GB Charitable Trust
A PDF copy of the OFM Capuchin GB Charitable Trust Safeguarding Statement 2025 which will allow you to download and print out your own copy is available by clicking on this link [OFM Capuchin GB Charitable Trust Safeguarding Statement 2025]
Here is a link to the Safe Spaces website https://safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk/
Links to the Religious Life website and the CSSA website are as follows:
Car Parking at St Francis Church
Please note the following and many thanks for your co-operation.
Confession - The Sacrament of Reconciliation
As from Saturday 7th January 2023 the start time of the Saturday afternoon confession will be changing from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Confessions will be heard starting at 6:00pm for half an hour before the 6:30pm mass. See the table below:
Sunday Readings
The Wednesday Word website publishes the readings for the following Sunday and a reflection on the gospel readings by Fr Henry Wansbrough.
Click on this link to access the website - The Wednesday Word.
Prayer For Peace
O Prince of peace, one more we hear the guns of war. Once again we see the faces of frightened children. We pray for the people of Ukraine, that they may be granted peace. We pray for the people of Russia, that they may demand peace. We pray for our country, that we may be a positive part of peace-making in the world.
O Prince of peace, lead us from this dark time to a deeper understanding of the global family, so that all may break bread together in the secure embrace of peace. Amen.
St Francis' Repository
Christmas cards, calendars etc now on sale in our Repository - you are welcome to have a browse.
Many thanks to everyone who has given to our Repository - this all contributes to the upkeep of our Church and we are most grateful. Please keep bringing them in and we will lovingly restore them! We would especially welcome any unwanted holy items such as statues, crosses, medals and rosary beads.
A good stock of Mass, Prayer and general cards are all available and Holy Water direct from Lourdes! Please feel welcome to browse!
Why not come along and have a look and buy someone special a present!Additional photos on our 'Gallery' page.
