Our Lady Star of the Sea Church

Introduction

In 1928 the site of the present church was given to the parish, and in May 1930 the foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Southwark.

History

In 1907 Father Michael Lonegan OSB began to stay in Broadstairs for the weekends. In 1920 the Faithful Companions of Jesus arrived. In 1928 Father Martin de Vidts OSB was given the site for the present church. In 1945 Father Martin returned.

In 1971 Father David Maher arrived as curate. In the early 1970s the sanctuary was transformed with the installation of a bath stone altar of reservation and a permanent marble altar, and the sanctuary floor was renewed.

In 1980 Father David Maher was appointed parish priest of Dover. In 1983 Father Peter Farmer arrived.

The altar rails and pulpit are splendidly carved in C17 style. The pews are of simple design.

The church was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, architect of the Anglican Liverpool Cathedral, and begun in 1930. In the early 1950s the parish set about completing the church, and in 1962 it was finished with a massive screen at the west end. In 1909 the parish acquired its first fully resident priest, provided with a presbytery opposite the church. In 1951 Father Ethelbert Arnold OSB served the parish.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is built of flint with stone dressings and has a pantiled roof. The church has a north tower with two narrow lancets and a chequered brick tympanum set within a tall blank arch. The nave is broad, seven bays, domestic looking, with 4-light windows and an open trussed roof. The second bay opens out to a transeptal Sacred Heart altar on the north and a transeptal Lady Chapel on the south.

The westernmost bays are shallow transept-like 'chapels' containing the confessional on the north and the baptistry on the south. To the west, beyond a broad round unchamfered arch, is the narthex with gallery above. The chancel is immensely high and apsidal, top lit from east and west. The church was designed by Sir Giles Scott and built in 1930-1, completed in 1961.

The church is built of flint faced with stone, producing the effect of an ancient building. The campanile is typically Spanish, the sanctuary Celtic, the nave Kentish and the wood British Oak. The building combined the Gothic with the Norman. Sir Giles described the church as his 'Thanet Gem'.

Parish life

The parish provides preparation for First Holy Communion for children around age 8. The parish advises couples to talk to the priest at least six months before a hoped-for wedding date.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish celebrates Confirmation every two years, with preparation programmes advertised in the parish newsletter. The parish makes arrangements for anyone of any age who has not yet been confirmed to receive the sacrament.

The parish uses the Tabernacle to reserve the Blessed Sacrament, enabling Holy Communion to be taken to the sick, housebound and dying. The parish welcomes those who have been married before or outside the church to talk to the priest, as there may be a way to help.

Visiting

The church has Stations of the Cross on its walls. The church has a Tabernacle with a red Sanctuary Lamp on the wall near it. The church has an altar on a raised sanctuary.