St Patrick's Church, Bradford

The church stands at the intersection of Sedgfield Terrace and Westgate with stone walls showing Victorian design from the 1800s. A friary of Franciscan friars sits directly beside it, the two buildings connected as part of one religious community.

The building opened in 1853 and remains the oldest active Catholic church in Bradford. Architect George Goldie designed it, a specialist in religious buildings of that period.

The friars who run the church also serve hot meals to anyone who needs them from the adjacent friary, showing how the community is woven into local life. This kind of everyday care remains central to what the place means to the neighborhood.

The church is generally open during standard hours, though visitors should keep in mind it may be closed during services or private prayer times. The best time to visit is outside regular service hours, when there is more space to move around and look at the building in peace.

The land was purchased through an intermediary because the town had strong prejudice against Catholics at the time, making a direct purchase difficult due to religious reasons. This hidden history shows how hard it was to establish a Catholic place of worship in Bradford.

Location: Bradford

Inception: July 13, 1853

Architects: George Goldie

Website: http://stjosephschurchbradford.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.79750,-1.76290

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:25