The present church of St’s Joseph & St Francis Xavier
was commissioned in 1867 and opened a year later.
The architect chosen by the then Parish Priest Fr.
Strickland SJ. Was George Goldie who was responsible for the design of St Wilfrid’s York and the first Middlesbrough Cathedral. Bishop Cornthwaite of
Beverley formally opened the church on 28 July 1868,
with Archbishop (later Cardinal) Manning giving the sermon. The church was completed in less than 12
months (foundation stone laid 13 August 1867). The
organ was installed around 1894 at the cost of Ł360.
Richmond sits at the entrance to Swaledale and we see
many visitors who are very welcome and we hope you will take some time to call and see us. Mass times can
be found on the bulletin page.