Our Lady of the Rosary, Hayes

Introduction

Our Lady of the Rosary in Hayes, within the Archdiocese of Southwark, began as Rosary Hall in November 1954; two years later the hall was converted into the church, which opened on 15 November 1956.

History

Work on the church was completed only in 1966, and the parish's first resident priest celebrated the inaugural Mass in the remodelled building. In 1938 a priest from Bromley said Mass at the Rex (later Odeon) Cinema in Hayes; in 1940 Mass was said at the New Inn until September of that year, when the Inn was badly damaged by a direct hit. As no traces of the victims were ever found, the seller wished that the site be used not for housing but for religious purposes; each 9 February the parish holds a Foundation Mass in memory of the Grandfield family.

Following the purchase of the site, lack of funds and materials shortages delayed building work; in the early 1950s, Hayes was transferred from Bromley parish to the parish of West Wickham. The priest's house behind the church had been completed in 1965; in the 1980s, the parish priest extended the hall, adding meeting space.

Architecture and furnishings

In 1971 limed oak benches were installed to replace the old metal chairs; the following year saw the installation of a new altar, circular font and tabernacle stand made from Italian Botticino marble. The coloured glass windows – with a central cross, a dove and crown on the left and the Alpha and Omega on the right – were designed by parishioner Peter Proto (1930-2010); he also designed the Millennium Window, installed in 2000. The distinctive sculpture of Our Lady of the Rosary high up on the facade of the church is by the Benedictine nun Mother Concordia of Minster Abbey in Kent (Concordia Scott, 1924-2014); a parishioner commissioned the statue as a gift. Inside the church is an older, wooden statue of Our Lady.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Eighteen parishioners received Confirmation at a special Mass on 5 June 2026, administered by the Episcopal Vicar. Fourteen young parishioners received Confirmation at a special Mass on 17 May 2023, administered by the Episcopal Vicar.

Five young parishioners received First Holy Communion at a special Mass on 18 May 2024. The diocese requires six months' notice for weddings.

Visiting

A large car park behind the church uses a one-way system for entry and exit. The church stands on West Common Road in Hayes, Kent, with postcode BR2 7BX.