Welcome To Our Website
AnnouncementThe Death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
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Dear brothers and sisters,
With deep sorrow, we announce that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, passed away this morning at 7:35. He returned to the house of the Father after a life devoted to the service of God and the Church. With gratitude for his witness of faith, love, and humility, we now commend his soul to God’s infinite mercy.
Today (Monday 21st April 2025) at 3:00pm, in the Hour of Mercy, we will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in English for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis.
Following that, there will be silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
At 4:00 p.m., we will pray the Rosary in Polish, and at 4:30pm, we will celebrate Holy Mass in Polish.
We invite you all to join us in prayer for our beloved Holy Father.
Easter 2025
Palm Sunday - The Passion of the Lord
Sunday 13th April 2025
Easter Sunday
Sunday 20th April 2025
The community of Friars at St. Francis of Assisi, Chester would like to wish all parishioners and visitors a very happy and Holy Easter.
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.
Holy Week and Easter 2025 Services
Maunday Thursday - 17th April
- 11:00am - 12:00 Noon | Confessions
- 7:00pm | Mass of The Lord’s Supper (in English)
- Silent Adoration until 10:00 pm
- 10.30am | Stations of the Cross (in English)
- 11.00am - 12:00 noon | Confessions
- 3:00pm | Celebration of The Lord’s Passion (in English)
- 11:00am - 12:00 Noon | Confessions
- 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Blessing of Easter Food (in Polish)
- 8:00pm | Easter Vigil (in English)
- 8:00am | Mass (in English) – at the Benedictine Abbey
- 9:30am | Mass (in English)
- 12:00 noon | Mass (in Polish) (Please note: There will be no 4.30pm mass today)
- 8:00am | Mass in English – at the Benedictine Abbey
- 12:00 noon | Mass in English
- 4:30pm | Mass (in Polish)
- Saturday 6:30pm - Vigil Mass in English
- Sunday 9:30am - Family Mass in English
- Sunday 12 Noon - Polish Family Mass
- Sunday 4:30pm - Polish Mass
- Sunday at 8:00am - In English, all are welcome
- Monday - Saturday at 12 Noon - In English, all are welcome
- Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8:00am - In English, all are welcome
- Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8:00am - In English, all are welcome
- Brother Piotr (Parish Priest & Guardian)
- Brother Francis
- Brother Loarne
- Brother Anoop
- 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.
Good Friday - 18th April
Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) - 19th April
Easter Sunday - 20th April
Easter Monday - 21st April
Sunday Mass Times at St Francis Church
Sunday Mass at Curzon Park Abbey
Weekly Mass Times at St Francis Church
Weekly Mass Times at Curzon Park Abbey
Morning Masses at the St Francis Friary (The Brothers' Chapel) with the Capuchin Brothers
Starting in December, additional morning Masses will be celebrated at 8:00am in the Friary choir (the brothers' chapel) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Access to the choir is through the church, as the chapel is located behind the sanctuary.
On these days, from 7:00am, the brothers pray Morning Prayer (Lauds) and adore the Blessed Sacrament. You are warmly invited to join us for this time of prayer and adoration.
Please note that on these days, there will be no Masses at the Benedictine Abbey on Curzon Park. Masses at the Benedictine Abbey will continue to be celebrated at 8:00am on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Weekday Masses at 12 Noon in the church remain unchanged. We warmly invite everyone to join us in prayer.
Contact Us
The Brothers
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.
