Latest News

Vigil Mass – First Saturday of the Month at 6:30pm

As we prepare for the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis, our parish is beginning a new series of monthly Franciscan teachings on the Rule of St. Francis, to be given each month by friars and sisters from various Franciscan communities.
The series continues with a Vigil Mass at 6:30 pm, followed by teaching and adoration with our parish music team.
See News and Events pages for further information.

Growing Disciples - Children and Parents Ministry

We warmly invite all families to join our new Saturday Children and Family Ministry, for children preparing for and after First Holy Communion!
Every Saturday at 6:30 pm, Mass will be at the heart of our ministry, followed by time for children and parents to gather in the parish hall. See News and Events pages for further information.

November - Month of Prayer for the Faithful Departed

During the month of November, we remember and pray for all our departed loved ones. The names of the deceased submitted to us will be included in our daily prayers throughout November. Each day, the Holy Mass will be celebrated for their intention. See News and Events pages for further information.

Join Us For Alpha

We’re excited to invite you to Alpha - a series of relaxed, friendly evenings exploring life, faith, and meaning. The course began on Friday 12th September at 7:00 pm in our parish hall, and is running every Friday until December. See News and Events.

Safeguarding Information

St Francis' safeguarding representative contact number, email address and links for further information on Safeguarding are available on our Home page.

Weekly Holy Hour

You are very welcome to join us on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm in the Chapter Chapel at St Francis Friary. Entry via the green door at the side of the Church

Our Prayers Page

We are updating our Prayers page to record all the anniversaries of family and friends who have died in the Parish. Names from the Prayers page will be published in our newsletter on their anniversary. See Prayers Page.

The Jubilee of St Francis Church! 2nd - 4th May

On April 29th, we celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Solemn Opening of our Church in Chester. Everyone was invited to share ideas on how we could mark this milestone. See our Library page item 475 for further information.

St Francis Choir

Anyone who loves singing and would like to join the our Sunday 9:45am Mass Choir, please see Peter Cooke after the 9:45am Sunday mass. See our Groups page.

The Rosary

The Rosary will be recited at 11.30am Monday to Thursday. All are welcome to join in. See News and Events.

First Friday Devotion

Join us for our monthly First Friday Devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus. See News and Events.

First Saturday Devotion

Join us for our monthly First Saturday Devotion to The Immaculate Heart Of Mary. See News and Events.

St Francis Repository

At our repository you will find a new range of gift ideas and cards. All purchases go towards the upkeep of the Church and helping our Parish community. St Francis' Church would appreciate any donated items such as statues, framed holy pictures and rosaries. Please keep bringing them in! See our Gallery, Home and News pages for further information.

Help Father Francis Feed The Starving

If you are thinking of a present for someone how about buying an article of Fr. Francis' crochet, a coat, a shawl, a slipper or a mitten. You will be helping him raise money for the starving children in the world. They can be bought from the display at the back of the Church. See our News page.

Father Francis Books and Publications

Our very own Father Francis has released several books and publications for sale on Amazon. Copies are also available at the back of our Church. See our News page for further information.

Feast Days 2025

The 'Feast Days' page has been added to the main menubar. There is now a direct link to the Wiki page for each feast day. Just click the name to open up the information in a new tab.
See Feast Days

Franciscans In Chester: Book Published

A book detailing the history of our Church has been published. See our History page.

St Francis Church Tour

Take a virtual tour of our beautiful Church on-line or printout the tour guide and visit us. See Tour.

Useful Links

Welcome To Our Website

Click on image for larger image in a new tab

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.

Sunday Mass Times

  • Saturday 6:30pm - Vigil Mass in English
  • Sunday 8:00am - Mass in English at the Benedictine Abbey
  • Sunday 9:30am - Family Mass in English
  • Sunday 12 Noon - Polish Family Mass
  • Sunday 4:30pm - Polish Mass

Weekday Mass Times

  • 8:00am* - in the Brothers' Choir (except on Wednesdays)
  • 12 Noon - in the Church

* On Wednesdays, instead of the 8:00am Mass in the Brothers' Choir, Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am at the Benedictine Abbey.

Please note that Masses at the Benedictine Abbey will be celebrated only on Sundays at 8:00am and on Wednesdays at 9:00am - there will be no other weekday Masses there.

Contact Us

The Brothers

  • Brother Piotr (Parish Priest & Guardian)
  • Brother Francis
  • Brother Loarne
  • Brother Anoop
  • Brother Jim

    • Email

    • [email protected]

      • Telephone (Not To Be Used For Business Calls)

      • 01244 351331

        • Postal Address (For Business And Personal Use)

        • St Francis of Assisi RC Church
        • Grosvenor Street
        • Chester
        • Cheshire
        • CH1 2BN

        Important Safeguarding Information

        Below is the contact number, email address and links for further information on Safeguarding

        • St Francis Church Safeguarding Representative: Ronald Keating
        • Contact Number: 01244 351331
        • Email: [email protected]

        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.

        • 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.

        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:

        • 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.

          • 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.