English Martyrs Church, Didcot

Introduction

English Martyrs Church in Didcot, within the Diocese of Portsmouth, was opened on 18 February 1967.

Architecture and furnishings

Mass was said at the military camp at Didcot from 1915, served from East Hendred from 1926, with a resident priest from 1934. The church is built of brick and blockwork with a steeply pitched roof of concrete tiles, an altar of Connemara marble and carved mahogany Stations by David John. On 15 December 2017, two stained glass windows were installed in English Martyrs, Didcot. The windows were made by John Hardman Powell, the artist who made the stained glass windows for the House of Commons.

The windows were purchased from English Salvage and are believed to have originated from a private chapel in Cambridge. The windows needed considerable restoration which was expertly carried out by Chapel Studios of Kings Langley, Hertfordshire who, with local window installation company Primefit, installed the panels in their new frames in the church. The project was financed largely by the Living Our Faith fund. The parish has a Children's Liturgy Team.

Sacraments and pastoral care

To apply for a child or adult to be baptised, contact the parish office for information and guidance through the preparation process. The parish priest gives help in preparing for marriage, both regarding the wedding and the couple's developing relationship.