St Joseph

St Joseph’s was founded as a Mission from nearby Cobridge in 1895 and in 1925 work started on the present church designed in the north Italian Lombardic or Romanesque style by the young architect JS Brocklesby.

Burslem, Staffordshire

Opening times

Visitors can be accommodated by contacting the Parish Administrator.

Address

Hall Street
Burslem
Staffordshire
ST6 4BB

In 1908 Fr William Browne came to Burslem, one of the six towns that make up The Potteries and referred to as Bursley by Anold Bennett’s Five Towns.

In 1925 he started to build the present church of St Joseph's. Parishioners and men of Burslem demolished an old factory and prepared the foundations for the new church which was designed by the architect, JS Brocklesby. The church is built in red and purple brick manufactured at the brickworks at Fenton Colliery (another of the six towns).

There are two west towers; one square in plan and one smaller and round.

Much of the interior decoration, including the stained glass windows was the work of younger members of the parish under the direction of Gordon Forsyth, then Superintendent of the Burslem School of Art. Forsyth also painted some of the murals, whilst his daughter Moira was starting to produce other artwork for the church including the huge ceiling painting 'Christ in Glory'.

Key features

Spectacular stained glass
Social heritage stories
National heritage here
Glorious furnishings
Famous connections
Captivating architecture

Facilities

Walkers & cyclists welcome
On street parking at church
Level access to the main areas
Accessible toilets in church

Denomination

Catholic Church

How we have helped this church

Cornerstone Grant, £40,000, 2015
Our Cornerstone Grants fund urgent repairs and essential community facilities such as toilets and kitchens to help keep churches open.
Repair Grant, £10,000, 2010
Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.