St.
Joseph's Family Centre traces its history back to 1918
under the name of the Warrington and District Catholic
Aid and Rescue Society, which brought together many
charitable church support groups under one umbrella
organisation. Much of its work at that time was visiting
the police courts and assisting, mainly, women and girls
who were considered to be vulnerable. The work developed
so that in 1943, with the assistance of the Benedictine
priests at St. Mary’s parish, the current home of St.
Joseph’s, at 9 Museum Street, Warrington, was acquired.
The house initially served as a hostel managed by members
of the religious congregation the Daughters of the Heart
of Mary.
In 1952 the Aid and Rescue Society purchased the Museum
Street property and in 1968 changed its title to the
Warrington and District Catholic Society for Welfare,
reflecting its widening range of activities including
prison and hospital work, child care and support for
the elderly. The following year the name of the Museum
Street base was changed to St. Joseph’s Centre.
In 1991
the Congregation of the Poor Servants of the Mother
of God took over the Centre’s management. Following
this change St. Joseph’s became a Child Contact Centre
and undertook extensive refurbishment but retaining
many of the features of the original house to create
a homely environment. The Constitution was revised 2002
to reflect these developments and new trustees were
appointed supported by a fund raising committee.
Today St. Joseph’s provides a range of family support
services unique in their extent, managed by professionally
trained staff and small army of volunteers. The work
of St. Joseph’s is catalogued elsewhere on this web
site and our increasing financial commitments are being
met by income from trust funds, donations, fund raising
and legacies.
|
Richard Broadbent, current Chair of Trustees & Sister Mary Whelan, Centre Director |
