The foundation stone for the Church of the Holy Spirit Heckmondwike was laid on June 1, 1914 by Dr Cowgill, Bishop of Leeds, and was completed by Autumn 1915, with the dedication taking place on September 29 by Dr Cowgill. This at last provided a permanent home for the Celebration of Holy Mass within Heckmondwike after being served by a temporary chapel in the former St Patrick’s school on Darley Street.
The church is now one of two church buildings serving the Parishes of Cleckheaton & Heckmondwike, along with our sister church dedicated to Our Lady of Unfailing Help & St Paul of the Cross, located just over 2 miles away in Cleckheaton.
Both Holy Spirit and St Pauls (as the Cleckheaton church is often referred to) welcomed Fr Simon Lodge into the Parish as their Pastor from 15th August 2023, after Fr Nicholas Hird moved to take over as Parish Priest in Otley.
Sunday Mass, and the Vigil Mass on Saturday evening is celebrated in both church buildings each week, with weekday Masses being celebrated in one or other of the church buildings as pastoral needs dictate. Fr Simon intends to celebrate a noon Mass every Tuesday and Wednesday, with Exposition and Benediction beforehand, unless Mass times need to change to accommodate funerals. Details can be found each week as published in the Parish Bulletin.
During term-time the pupils at the school enjoy regular access to Holy Mass with weekly, class, key-stage or whole-school masses. The school also supports the children through the preparation of the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and, in more recent years, Confirmation.
For more information about our school, please see the school website at https://www.holyspiritprimary.co.uk/