Our Lady of the Sea and St. Anthony, St Mawes

Introduction

Our Lady of the Sea and Saint Anthony in Saint Mawes occupies a building erected in 1875 as a Bible Christian chapel, from a movement that had split away from traditional Cornish Methodism. The Bible Christian chapel had its foundation stone laid and commemorated on 6th May 1875, and its first service took place on Christmas Day that year. A woman minister was appointed to the Bible Christian chapel in 1900, and it was the first church ever to have one. After local Catholics raised money to purchase the building and have it extended and restored, Mass was first celebrated at Our Lady of the Sea and Saint Anthony in 1938.

History

The Bible Christians had rejoined the Methodists by 1932, and the congregation transferred to the Methodist Chapel in Saint Mawes. Five years later the small Catholic community gathered £750 to purchase the empty building and have it restored and extended. Priests from Falmouth came to say Mass between 1938 and 1945. Renovation works began in 1970 as the building approached its 100th birthday.

A special ecumenical service on 6 May 1975 celebrated the building’s 100th birthday to the day. The restoration work finished in 1978. The church has no parking, while signed public car parks are at the harbour and at the main village car park near the Rising Sun.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Grove Hill is reached by a short, very steep climb from Saint Mawes Harbour, and a sign on the sailing-club wall at the corner of Commercial Road marks the church.

Notable people and events

The first resident priest was installed in 1956, having just retired as Chief RC Chaplain to the Royal Navy. The first resident priest retired from the clergy in 1970 and a successor followed.