Our Lady Immaculate, Tolworth

Introduction

Our Lady Immaculate Church in Tolworth, within the Archdiocese of Southwark, was consecrated on 31st May 1963.

History

In 1933, a priest was given responsibility for forming a new parish in Tolworth, and in 1934 he became full-time rector of Our Lady Immaculate parish. In 1936 parishioners built a small chapel beside the presbytery, costing about £100, with the first Mass on 8th December 1936. In 1958 the church was completed at a cost of £60,000, of which £42,000 had been raised over 22 years. The first Mass was celebrated on 25th March, the Feast of the Annunciation, with a congregation of 1,200, and the church was consecrated on 31st May 1963.

The Catholic Hall, built in 1934 by Oliver & Sons, served as a Mass Centre and Community Hall and was eventually to become part of the primary school buildings. On April 26th 1936 the Catholic Hall was registered for marriages. The final plan for the chapel was for a building 39ft by 18ft 6ins 'complete with sacristy, electric light and probably central heating'. Coordinators at OLI actively collect for the Kingston Food Bank every month.

Architecture and furnishings

The sanctuary was re-ordered in the first half of 2006, and the new altar was dedicated on 8th September 2006 by the Archbishop of Southwark. The Memorial Chapel was completed in December 2010 after converting a redundant confessional, and was blessed on 18th June 2011 by an auxiliary bishop. The church has a statue of the Sacred Heart. The church has Stations of the Cross.

The re-ordering architect was Javier Castanon and his associates, the artist Theodore Gillick, and the builders were Collinstown. The statue of Our Lady is made of white marble against a background of night-blue mosaic specked with gold and framed in Italian marble. The Lady Chapel is a special area of the church building dedicated to the Blessed Mother of Jesus.

Music and liturgy

The parish Justice and Peace group supports Fair Trade, campaigns against persecution of Christians and human trafficking, and works for peace in the West Bank/Gaza. Confirmation preparation sessions are held on Tuesday evenings for about one hour and fifteen minutes.