Holy Innocents Orpington

Introduction

Holy Innocents Church in Orpington began as a chapel funded by philanthropist Frances Elizabeth Ellis in 1907 and opened in 1909. The chapel became the Catholic Parish Church in 1971.

History

In October 1980, the 4 metre high terminal cross was blessed and raised to its position. On 3 August 1981, an inscribed slate stone was placed south of the west entrance, commemorating the completion of the church; the contract cost was £537,320. The bell from the old chapel was installed in the belfry of the new church. The burials in the orphanages' private cemetery were reinterred in the garden of the new church, with a single large memorial.

Architecture and furnishings

In 1978, serious subsidence forced the closure of the original church and orphanages. The church is covered in Westmorland slate, roughly semicircular, with three halls named St Joseph's, Our Lady of Mercy, and Trinity. The roof structure is seven-sided, each side overlapping the next with a narrow window in between, panelled in timber and centring on a central cluster of timber columns called the 'axis mundi'. The altar is a solid block of Cumbrian slate weighing about two tons, set on a small pedestal clad in the same material.

Behind the altar hangs a large timber crucifix retained from the old church. Iron and glass lanterns are suspended from the roof throughout the worship space. The Stations of the Cross are painted rectangular casts recessed into the walls throughout the building. North of the sanctuary on the east wall is a three-part bronze sculpture group of the Massacre of the Holy Innocents by parishioner Nesta McGavin. The organ was specially designed for the new church by Herr Spath of West Germany; it is a two-manual tracker action pipe organ suited for the music of J S Bach.

Music and liturgy

A Healing Mass is normally held at the beginning of every month except August. New altar servers learn practicalities, then participate on the sanctuary at Mass, then take part in an eight-week formation period, and are enrolled into the Guild of St Stephen. Eucharistic ministers renew their promises once a year on the feast of Corpus Christi. More than 65 parishioners regularly read at Mass or another service.

Parish life

The local SVP conference is very active, visiting and supporting one-parent families, re-housed persons, the frail or vulnerable elderly and young, fugitives from violent relationships or societies, and immigrant refugees. The parish is part of Churches Together in Orpington, which is responsible for initiatives including Street Pastors and an annual Witness on Good Friday. The parish is a strong supporter of the local food bank, with weekly collections of items delivered to it and support for specific requests and holiday needs.

The local CAFOD branch raises funds for appeals in the developing world and raises awareness of continuing needs. In 2013, a group of parishioners embarked on a deanery-led Catholic Youth Ministry course to support the faith of young people in the parish. The youth ministry team has been involved in the launch of the deanery-level Faith in Action award scheme for young people, launched at the beginning of 2017.

Youth Ministry sessions run for ages 11 and above, with 'Light Seekers' (approximately 11-14 years) and 'Light Bearers' (approximately 14-18 years) meeting during term time. The parish school has close links to the parishes of Holy Innocents', Saint Michael & All Angels and Saint Theresa's Biggin Hill.

A community of Sisters of Mercy lives and works in the parish. Some eucharistic ministers take the Eucharist to people in local hospitals or in their homes. A monthly Children's Mass, especially accessible to younger children, is normally held on the third Sunday.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Baptism preparation begins with an interview with a clergy member, and several weeks' notice may be needed, with no baptisms during Lent. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation is open to families with a child in Year 3 and above who worship at the parish. The Diocese of Southwark requires at least six months' notice before a wedding. Marriage preparation requires at least four classes, one a full-day session, with the remaining sessions normally in the evening at Holy Innocents'.

The parish is twinned with St Augustine's and Infant Jesus Conferences in Kerala, India, supporting projects such as providing sewing machines, goats, education and interest-free loans. Housebound or infirm parishioners are asked to let the Parish Office know so the parish can keep in touch.