St Richard was born at Wych, modern-day Droitwich in 1197/8. He studied at the university of Oxford where subsequently he was elected as Chancellor of the university. His success in the role led Edmund of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury to appoint Richard to serve as Edmund’s chancellor. Following Edmund’s death Richard returned to his studies at the Dominican house at Orleans where he was ordained priest.

in 1244, following a contested process, Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury named Richard  as Bishop of Chichester, but did so against the preference of the king who appealed to Pope Innocent IV. However Innocent found in favour of Richard and ordained him as bishop in 1245.

Despite this, when he returned to England Richard was denied access to the revenues of his diocese. He began his ministry living in a priest’s house, he visited the parishes of his diocese on foot, and - on top of everything - looked after an orchard.

 In 1246 the king permitted Richard access to the temporal authority of the bishopric of Chichester.

Richard is remembered for his generosity to the poor, the mercy he showed to sinners, his putting in place careful pastoral guidance for the work of the Church in his diocese and the reform of its liturgical life.

Episodes from the life of St Richard are depicted in mosaic in the remarkable Catholic church of Droitwich Spa, dedicated to the Sacred Heart and St Catherine.

The memorial of St Richard is kept in the National Calendar for England on June 16th.

God our Father,
in Saint Richard of Chichester
you gave a light to your faithful people.
You made him a pastor of the Church
to feed your sheep with his word
and to teach them by his example.
Help us by his prayers to keep the faith he taught
and follow the way of life he showed us.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

• The Church of the Sacred Heart and Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, England, welcomes pilgrims and visitors. It is usually open during daylight hours. It is a fine Grade II listed building containing stunning mosaics and sculpture but it is essentially a quiet place for prayerful worship. On Saturdays the parish offers free monthly public tours on the church. If you would like to join one of these tours then please book here.
• The town of Droitwich Spa is well worth a visit too. Places associated with St Richard include the church of St Andrew, where he was likely baptised, and Vines Park, site of a miraculous intervention by St Richard in aid of the salt-making industry which was source of the town's wealth in medieval times. The town has commemorated Richard by raising as stute to the saint there.
• Chichester Cathedral in West Sussex has a rich sacred heritage to share - and welcomes pilgrims and visitors.

Photographs (c) 2024, 2025, Allen Morris

Icon of St Richard. Chichester Cathedral.

Detail from St Richard's chapel at Church of Sacred Heart and Saint Catherine.

Statue of St Richard, Vines Park, Droitwich Spa

Mosaics at church of Sacred Heart and Saint Catherine, Droitwich