About Our Parish

The Parish of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross serves the Roman Catholic communities of Shipley and Baildon, in the Diocese of Leeds.

Our story

In 2009 the parish of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was established, bringing together the former parishes of St Mary and St Walburga, Shipley, and St Aidan, Baildon. The two parish churches — St Walburga’s and St Aidan’s — continue to serve their communities under one parish priest, who is based at St Walburga’s Presbytery. As part of the same reorganisation, St Anthony’s church in Windhill was closed.

Today we are one parish at two churches: a single community of faith, gathered around the Eucharist, serving the people of Shipley, Baildon and the surrounding area.

Our patroness — Edith Stein

Our parish is dedicated to St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, born Edith Stein (1891–1942). A gifted Jewish philosopher and a pioneer of phenomenology, she journeyed through atheism to the Catholic faith, entered the Carmelite order, and took the religious name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

She was murdered at Auschwitz in 1942, was canonised in 1998, and declared a co-patron of Europe. Her life unites reason and faith, scholarship and prayer, suffering and hope — an example that continues to shape the spirit of our parish.

“Whoever seeks the truth, whether knowingly or not, is seeking God.” — St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Our clergy

Our Parish Priest is Father Keiron Walker, based at St Walburga’s Presbytery, Kirkgate, Shipley.

Visit us

Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, new to the area, or simply exploring the faith, you are most welcome at either of our churches. See our Mass times or get in touch — we would be glad to welcome you.