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It was in the late 1950’s that John Murphy, then Bishop of Shrewsbury, gave permission for a new church to be built in the Lache. Before this, Catholics in the Lache had to go to St Anthony in Saltney or St Francis in Chester. Bear in mind that in those days you had to fast from midnight the day before if you wanted to receive Holy Communion, so walking to either was quite an undertaking in Winter on an empty stomach!
There were two sites considered for the new church, the corner of Lache Lane and Circular Drive, and the corner of Hawthorn Road and Downsfield Road, which got picked.
The foundation stone was lain in 1958 and building began. The builder was a Mr Roddy, a catholic who lived on Cliveden Road. Sadly he died soon after the building’s completion.
Their own place of worship
Lache estate Roman Catholics who have been waiting for their place of worship to be completed will have their wishes fulfilled next Thursday 8th December when St Clare’s Church is to be opened and dedicated at a solemn pontifical mass at 11.30am. The church will have accommodation for about 300 and will be in the charge of Fr John OFM CAP of St Francis church and Friary, Grosvenor Street. The Rt Rev John A Murphy Bishop of Shrewsbury will open and dedicate the church and Fr Ignatius OFM CAP former Father Guardian at St Francis’ church will travel from his Franciscan Friary in Scotland to sing the first Mass at St Clare’s which will be the sixth church to serve Chester Catholics.
Chester Chronicle – 3rd December 1960
There was a lot of fundraising to support the building project among the new parishioners. The first Christmas bazaar (in December 1960) raised £1,000!
Furnishing the new church was a big task, and it was suggested that parishioners could club together to buy some of the larger items needed.