Our Lady Immaculate & St Joseph Catholic Church in Lawshall

Our little Church in the village of Lawshall is Victorian in design and has a plaque above its porch confirming it was built in 1870. However, it has associations with Catholicism in the area which go back much further.

What currently stands on site is a cottage attached to a small church. The cottage (Coldham Cottage) dates from the early eighteenth century. It was once a part of the Coldham Hall estate where recusant Catholicism survived during penal times. Mass was celebrated secretly at the Hall and then, later, at a converted barn known as Barfield’s. Both buildings are still in existence but now in private ownership.

At some point, as freedoms to associate and worship were gradually granted to Catholics, a small school was built in the Coldham Cottage grounds. This has since been knocked down, although the benches used in the church today come from that school room. The cottage was extended outwards and the little Victorian church which is still in use was built.

Today, Lawshall Church hosts a small but friendly community who gather for Mass each Sunday at 10.30 with tea, coffee and cake on offer afterwards. Visitors and new parishioners are always warmly welcomed.

The buildings have most definitely seen better days but there are plans and fundraising afoot to try and restore both the cottage and church to their former glory.