St Francis RC Church, Lozells

About St Francis RC Church, Lozells

St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church is located on the corner of Wretham Road and Hunters Road in Handsworth, Birmingham. The church was founded in 1840 as St Mary's Covent and relocated to its current site in 1894 to accommodate the growing Catholic population. The foundation stone was laid in May 1893 by Bishop Edward Ilsley, and the church was opened by Cardinal Herbert Vaughan on 2 February 1894. It was consecrated on 21 June 1900 after the building debt was paid. The church hosts 11 masses per week and features an adoration chapel for prayer. The adjacent St Francis Centre was built in 1909 by Monsignor John O'Hanlon as a social centre and remains owned and operated by the church. The parish is part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and works closely with the Sisters of Mercy at St Mary's Convent and other Catholic religious orders serving the local community.