Our Lady of the Assumption

Introduction

Father J. Etheridge, rector of the Jesuit College of Saint Beuno at Tremeirchion, founded the Mission of Our Lady at Rhyl in 1851 from that college.

History

A public house called Costigans Railway Tea Rooms hosted the first Mass in its parlour. The Catholic population soon rented the Town Assembly Rooms in High Street and used them as church and school. By 1861 it had been decided that a large church was required. Bishop James Brown of Shrewsbury laid the foundation stone on 3 March 1863 of the church built in honour of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady.

Music and liturgy

A children’s liturgy is held on Sundays, while a children’s Mass takes place monthly. Parishioners serve as directors or volunteers for the separate West Rhyl organisation 4thecommunity, which partners the parish and operates from the church and parish centre. Parish musicians include a music-group leader and guitarists.

Parish life

Among the groups parishioners form are the Bethany Group, the Knights of Saint Columba and the Union of Catholic Mothers. Coffee, tea, cakes and biscuits are offered after Sunday Mass.

Parishioners come from 43 nationalities. People who are not members of the church worship here on a regular basis.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Extraordinary ministers of Communion distribute Communion at Mass and to the sick and housebound, renewing their dedication each year. Preparation for Confirmation at Saint Mary’s takes place roughly every two years.

The chaplaincy team visits the sick and dying at home or in hospitals. Wrexham Diocese holds one-day Marriage Care marriage-preparation courses at the Stella Maris Centre in Llandudno throughout the year.