Our Churches
The Parish of the Holy Name of Jesus, South Leicestershire brings together the rich histories of two beloved Catholic churches: St Pius X in Narborough and Our Lady of Victories in Lutterworth. Each church has served its community faithfully for decades, and together they continue to be beacons of faith in South Leicestershire.
St Pius X, Narborough – A History
Foundation and Early Years
St Pius X Catholic Church was established to serve the growing Catholic community in Narborough and the surrounding villages. Named after Pope St. Pius X (1835-1914), who was canonized in 1954, the church was built during a period of Catholic renewal in England.
Pope St. Pius X was known for his deep pastoral care, promotion of frequent Holy Communion, and reform of Church music. His motto, “To restore all things in Christ,” reflects the mission of our church community.
The Building
The church building on Leicester Road has become a familiar landmark in Narborough. Built in the traditional style, it features [add specific architectural details if known]:
- A welcoming nave for the congregation
- Beautiful sanctuary space
- Stained glass windows depicting [saints/scenes]
- Side chapels for private prayer and devotion
Development and Growth
Over the years, St Pius X has grown to meet the needs of its expanding community:
- Addition of the parish hall for community gatherings
- Development of the presbytery for the resident priest
- Improvements to accessibility and facilities
- Regular maintenance and renovation to preserve the building
Serving the Community
The church has served generations of Catholic families in:
- Narborough
- Enderby
- Littlethorpe
- Cosby
- And surrounding villages
Click here to read more about Narborough church history
Our Lady of Victories, Lutterworth – A History
Foundation
Our Lady of Victories & St. Alphonsus in Lutterworth has a distinguished history serving the Catholic faithful in this historic market town. The church takes its name from Our Lady of Victory (celebrated on October 7th) and St. Alphonsus Liguori, the great moral theologian and founder of the Redemptorists.
Lutterworth itself has deep religious history, being the parish where John Wycliffe served as rector in the 14th century.
The Church Building
Located on Bitteswell Road near the town centre, the church features:
- A striking exterior that has become part of Lutterworth’s streetscape
- A peaceful and reverent interior for worship
- The famous Dove Mosaic – a beautiful artistic feature
- Historic church cemetery with graves of faithful parishioners
- Prayer garden for quiet reflection
Click here to read more about Lutterworth church history
The Dove Mosaic
One of the church’s treasures is its beautiful dove mosaic, representing the Holy Spirit. This artwork has been cherished by generations of parishioners and visitors.
Read more about the Dove Mosaic and Catholic burial ground
Community Life
Our Lady of Victories has been central to Catholic life in Lutterworth and surrounding villages:
- Bitteswell
- Ullesthorpe
- North and South Kilworth
- Swinford
- Shawell
- And many other rural communities
The church has hosted countless baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings, and funerals, marking the important moments in the lives of Catholic families.
Formation of the Parish of the Holy Name of Jesus
A New Chapter
In 2025, the Diocese of Nottingham restructured parishes across the diocese to better serve the faithful and respond to changing demographics and pastoral needs. As part of this pastoral reorganization, St Pius X and Our Lady of Victories were united to form the Parish of the Holy Name of Jesus, South Leicestershire.
Continuity and Unity
The formation of the single parish:
- Preserves both church buildings and their unique characters
- Maintains regular Mass schedules at both locations
- Strengthens the Catholic community across South Leicestershire
- Enables more effective pastoral care and resource sharing
- Continues the missions of both historic churches
Fr. Joel Nwalozie serves as parish priest for the combined parish, with his residence at the presbytery at St Pius X, Narborough.
Looking Forward
As we honor the history of both St Pius X and Our Lady of Victories, we look forward with faith and hope. The Parish of the Holy Name of Jesus continues the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments, and serving the community in charity.
We invite you to be part of our ongoing story. Whether your family has worshipped here for generations or you are new to the area, you are welcome in our parish family.
Diocese of Nottingham
We are proud to be part of the Diocese of Nottingham, which serves Catholics across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, and Lincolnshire.