|
|
 |
|
Where we are.
Blackhall St. Joseph's parish is on the east coast of County Durham, though the postal address is Hartlepool, Cleveland. It lies between Horden in the north and Hartlepool in the south and Castle Eden to the west. Included in the parish is the village of Monk Hesleden, the medieval parish which gives it's name to the minor local authority parish council and which is now much smaller than Blackhall. Also included is High Hesleden and Hesleden itself, both small villages.
Blackhall itself has been developed linearly along the coast with Blackhall Colliery in the northern part and Blackhall Rocks the southerly part. Now they merge into one another though at one time they were non-contiguous. This division still colours the villagers' view of their community but the stranger would not be able today to identify a boundary line. In fact St. Joseph's Church is on the dividing line on Coast Road between the two. A brief history.
The parish was established out of SS. Peter & Paul, Hutton Henry, in 1919 though the Church on the present site was only opened in 1950.
Originally the Church was at Belchford, at the top of Kenber Hill, but the building which housed Church & School was destroyed by fire in 1948. After temporary accommodation in various places in the village the new Church was built. It was opened by Bishop McCormick and consecrated in 1952.
The new School was built on adjoining land owned by the parish & opened in 1955. St. Joseph’s Primary School is thus celebrating its 50th anniversary in this present academic year.
In the last five years the Church has been extended with this addition of the Parish Rooms which include a meeting room, kitchen, toilets and also a piety shop. The Church interior has been refurbished with a new altar, lectern, font, new carpets, new lighting & the benches have been reconditioned & the interior decorated.
Plans for future development include a beech hedge around the shrine & the addition of Stations of the Cross for the shrine. The community.
The parish has an active pastoral council & members & others in parish organise fayres, parties, coffee evenings, pilgrimages & day trips on a regular basis.
Ecumenism is in a very healthy condition in the village and we have excellent relation s with the other two Churches in the village, Anglican & Methodist.
The parish is regularly complimented for its warmth & hospitality & visitors are always welcome.
For its size the village has a large number of care homes for the elderly, six. These are visited by parishioners every week on an organised basis. Those who are housebound at home are not forgotten either & receive regular visits.
Parish organisations include SVP, Music Group, Cenacle, & the Dustbusters, ladies who keep the Church spotless. In addition committees of the parish council look after finance, health & safety, maintenance & room hire – amongst other things.
|
|
|
