Holy Angels - Hale Barns

Introduction

The Catholic Church of the Holy Angels in Hale Barns, Cheshire, was established in 1958 as part of the Diocese of Shrewsbury. The church was designed by parishioner Arthur Farebrother, reflecting a style reminiscent of Quarr Abbey with modern use of pale brick. Although founded in 1958, the church was formally dedicated in 1964.

History

In 1946, Mrs Waugh donated five acres of land for the building of a church, and Canon Donnelly arranged the purchase of 'Woodeaves'. From 1946 to 1963 St Ambrose College was located in 'Woodeaves', and a Chapel of Ease was formed there for the local Catholic community. The completed church was dedicated on 12 March 1964. The parish debt was cleared in 1980, owing to the efforts of an enterprising Parish Committee.

Following Vatican II, the original marble altar rails were removed in 1989, some being re-used in the ambo, and the baptismal font was moved from the traditional adjoining baptistery to the front of the church. In 2023, a new Parish Hall was added, providing much-needed space for parish life and wider community use.

Architecture and furnishings

Designed as a Choir Church, the building had to be narrower than intended, as special piling was needed with the discovery of a prehistoric glacial lake under the site. In the Lady Chapel, Our Lady’s statue was moved from above her dedicated altar to a side wall and replaced by embroidered panels created by the parish embroidery group. The pipe organ, originating from Ringway Chapel, was later replaced by an electronic instrument, the pipe organ being donated to a parish in Romania. September 2012 saw the erection and blessing of a large hand-hewn wooden carving of angels positioned at the entrance to the church grounds.

The highlight of 2013, on 13 October, was the blessing of the new landscaped shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and the dedication of the parish of Holy Angels to Our Lady. Arthur Farebrother, a young Catholic architect living in Hale Barns, designed the church, influenced by Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight. T Brown and Sons of Wilmslow built the church at a cost of about £80,000.

Music and liturgy

St Ambrose College makes frequent use of the church. The choir usually sings hymns in unison. The choir practises for about an hour after Mass each Sunday. A former parishioner and organist serves as Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome.

Parish life

The parish's Children's Liturgy has flourished since its inception in 1988. A gardening team was formed during COVID-19 to restore the church grounds. The Tuesday Afternoon Coffee and Chat has proved popular for socialising and wellbeing. The parish's Interfaith Group includes Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Unitarians and Christians, working to encourage interfaith understanding and cooperation.

The Pro-Life group discusses issues including abortion, euthanasia and cloning, and organises the distribution of Pro-Life Times and the White Flower Appeal. A bereavement support group of trained parishioners assists the clergy in supporting the bereaved and helps organise services for them. The Baptism team helps families prepare for the sacrament, visiting families and explaining the ceremony. The parish prepares young adults for Confirmation during Year 8, aiming to help integration into new secondary schools and keep them involved in parish life.

A team of volunteers decorates the church every week on a rota basis, except during Lent and Advent. A group of young people is actively involved in the Mass and special occasions, under adult leaders. Sacristans, a small group of volunteers, support the clergy by caring for the sacristy and the church, including sacred vessels, linens, robes, candles and the sanctuary. A team of Eucharistic Ministers assists in distributing Holy Communion and may take the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and housebound.

A team of altar servers, boys and girls, covers weekend Masses on a rota basis. A group offers spiritual direction and retreats, including the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. A small team of ministers are trained to conduct Celebrations of Word and Communion when the parish priest is away.