Blessed Sacrament Church, Heavitree

Introduction

John Patrick Barrett, Bishop of Plymouth, set the foundation stone of Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree on Sunday 7 June 1931. Bishop John Barrett blessed Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree and opened it on 28 May 1932. Red brick with Portland stone dressings forms Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree in the Romanesque style.

History

Saint Pauls, a sister church at Saint Budeaux in Plymouth, was constructed in the same period as Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree. Local newspaper correspondence both favoured and opposed announcement of the bell at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree, and a house-to-house canvass campaigned against erecting it. The Western Morning News of 19 January 1932 reported that Bishop Barrett of Plymouth had blessed and dedicated the new bell for the Heavitree Roman Catholic church on the previous day. At the blessing, holy water washed the bell of Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree inside and out, while the bishop placed seven chrism crosses on the exterior and four on the interior.

Seven psalms were recited during the blessing of the bell at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree, with prayers that stressed its power to expel evil spirits and calm the elements. The bell was put in place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree when the church was built in 1932. The Express & Echo reported in 1966 that Emmanuel at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree, silent during the war, could be heard again after a complete facelift. On New Year's Eve 2004, two men from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers inspected the bell, its hangings and the tower at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree and found them safe to ring.

Architecture and furnishings

The portico entrance of Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree has six green marble columns. Demolition of Marley House on Woodbury Common supplied marble later used inside Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree. The tower of Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree was built without side openings or louvres, with an open roof that lets the sound ascend. The gallery of Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree contains the original organ.

The sanctuary baldachino at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree stands on seven Italian Cippolino marble columns, with a green onyx altar and a polished brass tabernacle. The tower at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree was specially built for the bell, which weighs four tons. John Taylor and Co of Loughborough cast the bell of Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree. Dampers were fixed to the bell at Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree, possibly because of controversy when the bell was installed.

Music and liturgy

Through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the parish holds regular informal meetings in which catechists and parishioners discuss the Catholic faith. Marriage preparation includes discussion with the priest and a Marriage Preparation day organised locally.

Children's liturgy invites children from age 3 to Year 3 to hear the scriptures in a form prepared for them. Experienced catechists lead the children's liturgy. Parents of very young children are invited to join the children's liturgy. The parish takes part in Churches Together across Exeter (CTaX) and has been represented on its organising committee.

Parish life

Anyone hoping to marry at the church, or living in the parish and marrying elsewhere, is asked to give at least six months' notice. A team uses specially adapted Gospel stories so the youngest parishioners can hear and respond to the Word. Altar servers minister at all Masses; girls and boys, women and men may serve, and children have usually received Holy Communion first.

Most Masses are streamed live from the church. Parish groups include CAFOD, APF, Missionaries, Exeter Catenians, the Guild of Saint Stephen, Saint Vincent de Paul and the Catholic Womens League.

The parish joins Christian churches in Heavitree and Wonford to celebrate the faith, and their clergy meet regularly to pray and plan. The Parish Finance Committee administers the material goods of the parish.

An adult formation group meets in person. Ministers of the Word proclaim scripture during Mass and at other times. Initial training and further training support all ministry.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Ministers of Holy Communion take Communion to the sick and housebound and help distribute it at Mass. The Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart parishes in Exeter work together to support elderly and vulnerable people in the city.

Saint Nicholas Catholic Primary School, approximately a mile and a half from the church, has strong links with the Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart parishes. A Parish Vision Team of volunteer parishioners and the parish priest replaced the Parish Pastoral Council. The Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart parishes together offer adult formation to explore the Catholic faith.

Notable people and events

The parish priest of Heavitree accompanied the bishop at the outdoor bell ceremony, with priests from Okehampton and Budleigh Salterton also present. The Misses Hilda and Edith Robinson gave the bell of Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree.