A modest dual-purpose structure of the 1950s, significantly enlarged in sympathetic style in 2000.

Mass was first said here in a British Legion hut and a parish founded in 1952 to serve expanding local estates. The following year a large piece of local authority ground was bought on land which, it is said, a parishioner, Gerard Quinn senior, had buried a statue of Our Lady in the hope that one day a church would be built there. And so it was that the building was begun in 1955, with the first Mass celebrated on 25 March 1956. The church (figure 1) was a dual-purpose building with a sanctuary that could be screened off when the building was in secular use.

In 2000 the church underwent a major expansion, adding the present sanctuary and Lady Chapel at one end and the parish centre and sacristy at the other. This work was financed by selling a large plot of land to the north on which sheltered housing was built.

Today the church is served from Goldenhill, and the presbytery is let.

Description

The church is oriented to the west so directions given here are liturgical. It now comprises an aisleless nave with the sanctuary beyond, to the south of which is the Lady Chapel. The parish centre and sacristy is attached to the nave at the west end. The original 1950s church now occupies the centre of the building. This has three large tripartite windows with white pilasters between. The roof is covered with cement tiles.

The reinforced concrete trusses that form the structure of the 1950s work are exposed internally. Beyond is the sanctuary under a segmental ceiling. There are no fittings or furnishings that require particular mention.

Heritage Details