Church of the Holy Ghost Church

Introduction

The Church of the Holy Ghost in Balham had its foundation stone laid by Bishop Francis Bourne in summer 1896 and was solemnly opened by him on 14 February 1897. Leonard Stokes designed the church in Decorated Gothic style to seat 250 people.

History

Bishop Amigo consecrated the church on 17 May 1934. In 1901 a convent chapel was built to a Belgian architect's design after Stokes's plan was rejected. Restoration of the chapel and its incorporation into the church began on 1 July 1963, and it became the Lady Chapel dedicated to the Visitation. On 2 July 1964 the Bishop opened and blessed the new Lady Chapel and dedicated the parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Architecture and furnishings

The church was built in 1896-97 from Stokes's designs, with additions in 1901, 1915 and 1931, though the intended tower and presbytery were never erected. The fabric is a free Arts and Crafts version of late Gothic, in English-bond brick with stone dressings and a Westmorland slate roof. The high altar, Lady Chapel altar and St Joseph's altar are all of polychrome marble, as are the two ambos blessed in 1979. A wooden crucifix on the east wall is said to be eighteenth-century Oberammergau work.

The octagonal font was given in memory of Fr John Moynihan, who died in 1917. The Lady Chapel's east window has a Madonna and Child signed by Goddard & Gibbs. The exterior bears little resemblance to Stokes's original design, the only common feature being the horizontal brick banding. The porch is built of stock brick with red brick detail and has a profusion of buttresses.

The sanctuary has a five-light Perp east window, short in its proportions to accommodate a reredos. The Lady Chapel has a pointed barrel vaulted timber roof with tie beams and crown posts. The seating consists of pine benches with panelled ends. At the front of the porch is a crucifix commemorating the consecration of the church in 1934.

The tabernacle door is repoussé work featuring the Pelican in its Piety. St Joseph's chapel has a modern window depicting St Oliver Plunkett and St Benedict Joseph Labre. The Stations are cast and painted three-dimensional pieces resting on cast corbels, installed in 1931. A shrine to the Sacred Heart was erected near the altar rails by the Lady Chapel in memory of the first Mass in Balham.

Statues of St Joachim and St Anne replaced the statues of the Sacred Heart and St Joseph in the sanctuary niches. There are statues of St Anne and St Joachim on either side of the chancel arch. The stained-glass in the sanctuary and above the porch windows suffered severe damage during the last war.

Parish life

Holy Ghost Primary School is associated with the parish. The parish has a Society of St Vincent de Paul group for assisting those less fortunate. The Society of St Vincent de Paul is an international Christian voluntary organisation open to anyone who adopts its ethos. The Holy Ghost Altar Servers are a team of dedicated servers invited to serve at any mass or service.

Confirmation classes are offered to young people in school Year 8 and above, held one evening a week. The parish runs courses of instruction for adults wishing to enter the Catholic Church. Couples wishing to marry at Holy Ghost must give at least six months' notice as required by church law.

The Pastoral and Finance Committee is a consultative body of 10 to 12 parishioners assisting the clergy in running the parish. On the north side of the sanctuary, arches with metal gates connect to the nuns' chapel.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Children can be prepared for First Holy Communion from school Year 3 and above, with registration normally beginning in the autumn term. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the clergy in distributing Holy Communion at Sunday Masses and may take the Blessed Sacrament to the sick. Those in need of the Sacrament of Anointing can contact the Parish Office to speak to a priest.