Church of St. Mark, Hollybush Lane

Introduction

Saint Mark's church in Hollybush Lane, Hemel Hempstead, is the youngest Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Westminster. The Catholic parochial area of Hemel Hempstead West was created in 1967 when the John F Kennedy School opened.

Parish life

A stained glass window of Cecilia, patron saint of music, commemorates Molly Radlett, who served as the church's organist for many years. The parish takes part in the Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead organisation. Parishioners help run and support the Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter (D.E.N.S.), a shelter and day centre for the homeless. Parish members join other Churches and organisations in the Good Friday Procession of Witness in the town centre.

The parish supports Pray Hemel, a monthly group that meets at a different Church each month to pray for the town and community. The parish provides hospital visitors, and the Knights of St Columba and the Catholic Women’s League are regularly involved in community activities.

The parish runs Little Church for children aged 5-7 who are not yet preparing for First Holy Communion, providing an introduction to the Catholic faith. The parish runs First Holy Communion preparation classes for children in Year 3, aged 7/8, as well as those up to age 10/11 who have not yet made their First Holy Communion. The parish has strong links with the John F Kennedy Catholic Secondary, Saint Cuthbert Mayne Junior and Saint Roses Infant schools, all within the parish.