Church of Our Lady, Fleet

Introduction

Priests from the Salesian College, Farnborough, served the church until 1947, when they allowed a priest to live in Fleet.

Architecture and furnishings

The octagonal design provides seating for 326, with only ten rows in the main aisle and nine in the two sides. Four pairs of laminated wooden arches meet in a steel pressure ring to vault the nave, each pair giving a clear span of 68 ft, and a slim fleche surmounts the roof. The walls are of reconstructed Cornish granite, and the floor is maple except for the altar area, which is of Yorkshire stone. Michael Murray made the font and altar from Welsh slate with hexagonal bases, as well as the altar candlesticks, sanctuary lamps, and a combined altar-cum-processional cross. The silver-crowned statue of the Madonna and child, retained at the request of some senior parishioners, links the present church with the old one.

Parish life

The parish serves Fleet and Church Crookham in Hampshire with two churches and belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. The parish is part of the Deanery of Blessed John Body, which covers North-East Hampshire.

The parish's mission is founded on a life of prayer centered on the Eucharist, with well-attended Vigil, Sunday and weekday Masses. The parish follows the Heart Speaks to Heart program for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion.

The parish has a Parish Pastoral Council. The parish has a Parish Finance Committee. The parish has a Parish Social & Fun Team. The parish has a Tuesday Meditation group.

The parish has a Drop in Cafe. The parish has Sunday Tea & Coffee.

The parish has Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist. The parish has Ministers to the sick and housebound. The parish offers Tea/Coffee, Cakes and Biscuits after Mass.

The parish has a Marriage Preparation Programme for all proposed marriages. Adoration is held an hour before each Mass and is open to all to attend.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish runs a First Communion programme that usually starts in November, with registration for 2026-27 now open. Couples are requested to give a minimum of 12 months' notice and to meet with one of the clergy for marriage.

Confirmation for the Pastoral Area is scheduled for 2026. Before baptising a child, parents must have met with a priest or a deacon and prepared by one of them.