Corpus Christi, Chadderton

Introduction

Corpus Christi Church in Chadderton, Oldham, in the Diocese of Salford, was opened by Bishop Thomas Henshaw on 30th April 1933. The church is built to a modern Gothic design in red brick, with white unglazed terra-cotta features around the window tracery and mullions. The church was built to seat 560 persons, with the large Lady Chapel capable of accommodating a further 100 people.

History

The first attempt to set up a chapel in the Hollinwood area came through Father John Baste in 1877, when two small cottages in Maple Street were rented and a sparsely furnished chapel was made available. Father C. Muller, aided by Dean Brindle, bought land in Old Lane, Chadderton, where a school-chapel was constructed and opened in 1878 by Canon Sheehan. Under Father Bartholomew Flynn, the foundation stone of a new school-chapel was laid by Canon Richardson in June 1902, and it opened the following year. Father William Guinan built the present church in 1933, fulfilling the dream of his predecessor Father Francis Oakes.

Architecture and furnishings

The church was originally surmounted by a large terra-cotta pediment, 22 feet high, crowned by a cross, with a stone crucifix 7 feet 6 inches in height within its open archway. The pediment and crucifix were removed over the years as they were considered unsafe. The nave windows have designs based on emblems of the Passion of Our Lord. The west window displays the Arms of Pope Urban IV, who instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi, of Pius XI, who was Pope in 1933, and of Bishop Henshaw. A belfry built into the wall above the west window houses the single bell.

Parish life

Our Lady's chapel at Corpus Christi is suitable for families with restless children. The parish has Eucharistic Ministers who take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound.

The parish is closely connected with two primary schools: St Herbert's RC Primary School and Corpus Christi RC Primary School, and Newman RC College. Adult receptions into the Church normally take place at Easter, with preparation through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The stone crucifix in the pediment was illuminated on special occasions by red neon lighting.

Sacraments and pastoral care

In the Diocese of Salford, the new age for Confirmation is 13, with the first group reaching that age in 2020. Couples wishing to marry at Corpus Christi must allow at least six months for preparation.