St William of York
Reading Berkshire
RG1 5JP
Who we are
Welcome to St. William of York Church, Reading. We hope you feel as blessed in your visit to our place of worship as we are to have you come to see us. Acquaint yourself with our Church and all that makes it our place of worship and reflection.
The church was built in 1906 by Father William le Grave, a retired Army chaplain who had volunteered to do missionary work.
The church was built in 1906 by Father William le Grave, a retired Army chaplain who had volunteered to do missionary work.
Church Website
St William of York on Social Media
Facebook Video: Midnight Mass: The Nativity of the Lord (25th December 2022)
Leadership
Leader Name:
Canon John O’Shea
Leader Position:
Parish Priest
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Canon John O’Shea
Leader Bio:
Fr. John has been with us since the beginning of 2010. Prior to this he was based at the City Centre parish of St Joseph and St Edmunds in Southampton for ten years, a parish similar to our own with a large multi-cultural community. He is remembered for his work with the Southampton City Council, his involvement with the different faith communities and his loyalty to ‘The Saints’ team. Fr John was born in Cork, Ireland, ordained priest at Carlow College in 1969. Early on his ministry in the diocese took him to Guernsey, C.I. for a spell of 8 years, where he is remembered for his exploits with Guernsey Rugby Club.
Administration
Admin Name:
Catherine Ledgard
Admin Position:
Parish Secretary
Phone:
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Catherine Ledgard
St William of York Mass Times
Mass Sunday 9:00am
2022 Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve St James
6:00pm Mass (Vigil)
12:00am Midnight Mass
Christmas Day St. James
11:00am Mass
12:30pm Mass
Christmas Day St William of York
9:00am Mass
It's been more than a year since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
2022 Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve St James
6:00pm Mass (Vigil)
12:00am Midnight Mass
Christmas Day St. James
11:00am Mass
12:30pm Mass
Christmas Day St William of York
9:00am Mass
It's been more than a year since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Other information
St William of York History
The church was built in 1906 by Father William le Grave, a retired Army chaplain who had volunteered to do missionary work. It was the third Catholic church to be built in the Reading area since the Reformation, after the Chapel of the Resurrection and St James. Father le Grave was a proud Yorkshireman, which may explain the dedication to St William of York.
Father le Grave built the church with his own money, plus generous help from the wealthy Lonergan family.
For many years from 1880 onwards the Lonergans had provided access to their private chapel to local Catholics, but at that time it was well outside the built up area of Reading. In contrast St William of York was well sited to serve a densely built area.
The annex on the east side of St William of York was built in 1958 thanks to another generous benefactor, Miss Muriel Bowman-Smith.
As well as its Sunday Mass at 9am, the Church also hosts a University Chaplaincy Mass on Sunday at 6pm during term time and Mass in Latin (Extraordinary Form) at 11am.
Father le Grave built the church with his own money, plus generous help from the wealthy Lonergan family.
For many years from 1880 onwards the Lonergans had provided access to their private chapel to local Catholics, but at that time it was well outside the built up area of Reading. In contrast St William of York was well sited to serve a densely built area.
The annex on the east side of St William of York was built in 1958 thanks to another generous benefactor, Miss Muriel Bowman-Smith.
As well as its Sunday Mass at 9am, the Church also hosts a University Chaplaincy Mass on Sunday at 6pm during term time and Mass in Latin (Extraordinary Form) at 11am.
"Pray often. For prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan". John Bunyan
St William of York listing was last updated on the 24th of December, 2022
