Our Lady of the Rosary

Introduction

Our Lady of the Rosary is the central Parish Church for the Parish of North Hinksey in Oxford. The Parish of North Hinksey was established in 1954 and the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary was completed later that year.

History

The arrival of evacuees and their teachers from a Catholic school in Poplar was the beginning of a substantial Catholic community in Botley before the parish existed. Before the parish existed, Mass was celebrated in make-shift venues including the Bystander public house in Wootton, the Bear and Ragged Staff in Cumnor and the Women's Institute in North Hinksey. Work began on Our Lady of the Rosary in 1953, on land gifted by a local Catholic.

Parish life

Singers may join a rota to sing the Psalm at Sunday Mass or a small choir for special events. Our Lady of the Rosary's Church Guild looks after the church building and organises social and pastoral events. The Guild encourages parishioners to participate with churches of other denominations and communities of other faiths in promoting the well-being of the whole community.

The Hinksey Parish Pastoral Council meets four times each year with representation from all Parish Churches. The Finance and Buildings Committee is an advisory body to the Parish Priest and meets quarterly.

Confirmation for young people takes place every other year, administered at the Cathedral. Adults interested in becoming Catholics should speak to the Parish Priest, and may receive Baptism, Confession, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.