Saint Augustine, Apostle of England, Nottingham

Introduction

In 1970 the sanctuary was reordered by local architect Thomas Snee, including bringing the altar forward, recasting the original pulpit and creating a simple pulpit house to the side of the high altar.

History

The church was constructed between 1920 and 1923 by John Sidney Brocklesby. The church replaced a tin tabernacle of 1879. Nottingham City Council approved the plans for the church in September 1920, with much of the work completed by 1922. The Lady Chapel has stained glass from 1922 by John Hardman Studios.

The church is described by Pevsner as looking incomplete, and it is thought the intention was for two towers and a great retaining arch, the basis of which is clearly visible on the principal elevation. A drawing which once hung in the church showed the intended vision for the design.

Architecture and furnishings

The main materials are coursed Darley Dale stone, with Snowcrete and Blucrete for the domes. The interior is in the Romanesque style and is lined in dressed ashlar stonework, featuring two large bays with saucer domes and a five-bay arcade dividing the chancel from the nave. The principal elevation is of three bays with a cylindrical tower to the north-west corner. The south elevation comprises a single-storey section with a dome made of Snowcrete, and there is an apse to the south-east corner which joins up to the modern rectory.

The east elevation is made up of a series of single and double-height ranges massed together to form a stepped façade, with arched and square-headed windows, a side entrance, and angle buttresses at clerestory level. The west elevation comprises a lower section of three bays with a series of small arched windows and flat buttresses, above which is a clerestory inset and stabilised with angle buttresses. The interior has low arcades with round arch windows over each arch, and piers that are square at the west end and clustered at the east end.

The organ dates from 1740. There is a glazed hardwood screen and a stair tower in the north-west corner leading up to a gallery that contains an organ. At the east end there is an arcaded apse with three stained-glass windows and small arch windows above. There is a simple rectangular altar with a marble relief carving of the last supper on the front, and a large painted crucifix suspended above.

To the side of the altar is a stone lectern with chamfered sides and carved detail. There are simple, open-backed, bench pews on each side of the nave.

Parish life

The parish covers inner city areas of St Ann’s, Sneinton and Mapperley Park, extending into Carlton, Gedling, Colwick, Netherfield, Bakersfield, Burton Joyce and Lowdham. The parish includes St Augustine’s, Our Lady & St Edward’s and Sacred Heart primary schools, feeding into three Catholic secondary schools.

The parish runs an online Meditation Group on Thursdays. The parish has a Community Café at Our Lady & St Edward’s.

The parish has a Parish Council with a Vice Chair. The parish has a Pastoral Team drawn from all three parishes, meeting fortnightly to pray and discuss community life.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents seeking baptism for their child attend a preparation course offered three times a year on a Saturday at Sacred Heart Community Centre. Baptism requires that parents and family regularly attend Sunday Mass at least two Sundays a month, and if not already doing so, they must fulfil this expectation for at least 6 months before asking for baptism.

Marriage requires six months’ notice, and couples should speak to the priests. The parish has a Deacon who serves as Prison Chaplain. The parish has an Adult Formation Coordinator.