Our Blessed Lady and St John the Baptist

Introduction

The church opened on 18 October 1823, dedicated to St Bridgit, and featured stained glass windows.

History

The chapel's name was later changed to the Blessed Virgin and St John the Baptist. In 1952 the Lady Chapel was renovated and dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham. In 1962 the sanctuary steps and railings were removed, and in 1966 the entrance porch was made into a baptistry. The church's 150th anniversary was celebrated in 1973 with a Concelebrated Sung Mass by the Archbishop of Birmingham.

A priest who later became Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham served Ashley from Eccleshall from 1892 for six years. The Countess de Font left £500 to the chapel in her will of April 1824. In 1944 repairs were carried out: new altar steps were put in because the original wooden ones had rotted, and the walls were re-plastered.

Architecture and furnishings

The stained glass windows installed in 1825 were removed and replaced with frosted glass. In 1966 the entrance porch was made into a baptistry with a sunken tiled floor representing the River Jordan, and wrought iron gates lead into the church. The opening of the chapel at Ashley featured a sung Mass celebrated by a priest from Stafford and a choir from Cobridge.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish runs a Journey of Faith group for adults of all ages and backgrounds, meeting at Our Lady & Saint Werburgh's in the upper room. Young at Heart has been running since 2013, created to combat loneliness and give people aged 55 and over a place to socialise and make new friends.