Our Lady of Sorrows, Eton

Introduction

Our Lady of Sorrows in Eton, within the Diocese of Northampton, was built in 1914 by Alfred Lord Braye in Italian Baroque style.

History

Braye designed a modestly proportioned and discreet chapel in the baroque style, with an interior richly covered by marble and gilt decoration and ornamented with paintings and decorative art collected for the purpose.

Architecture and furnishings

The church contains an Italian processional cross dating from the late 15th or early sixteenth century. A high relief terracotta panel by George Tinworth illustrates the Release of Peter.

The church is rectangular on plan with entrance at the west end, sanctuary at the east end, and chapels on the north and south sides lit from roof lights. The west front has Ionic giant pilasters, paired at ends, with entablature and balustrade on top and surmounted by aedicule with volutes and open pediment. The central doorway has a moulded eared architrave, panelled double doors and an oval oculus above. The east end and north and south walls are blind, but have circular lights in the roof, and on the ridge of the roof is a wooden cupola.

The sanctuary and north and south chapels have round arches and marble Ionic pilasters. The chapels each have a pedimented reredos and are lit by circular lights from above. The altar rails are marble balustrades. The interior fittings are said to have come from Frogmore Chapel, Windsor and from Braye's chapel at Stanford Hall, Leics., his family home.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents must attend a preparation session before infant baptism can be scheduled. Baptism of school age children may need to be arranged through the Faith Formation team. Confessions are possible on any weekdays after Mass or by appointment. Adults who wish to be initiated into the sacrament of Holy Communion should contact the parish office.

Visiting

The parish held an annual candle-lit rosary procession in Eton on the evening of Wednesday 28 May. The parish held a parish pilgrimage to Birmingham Oratory on 28/09/2024. The parish held a Christmas Carol Concert in December 2023. The parish held a Parish Patrons' Day in September 2023.

The parish held a Synodality Meeting in October 2023. The parish held Prayers for Peace in October 2023. The parish held a Lenten Soup in March 2023. The parish held a Christmas Carols event in 2022.

The parish held a Requiem Mass for the late Pope at Our Lady of Sorrows on 23 April 2025. The parish held a Centenary Celebration Mass in Saint Augustine's on 08/09/2024. The parish held a Children's Play as part of the Centenary Celebration.