Saint Mary of the Angels

Introduction

Saint Mary of the Angels in Worthing was built in 1864, with the design attributed to Henry Clutton and with additions made around 1939. The church has served the Worthing community since 1864.

History

In 1859 a Mission Church was opened using the chapel in Count de Torre Diaz's home, Augusta House, in Augusta Place. Bishop Grant laid the foundation stone of Our Lady of the Angels on May 4 1863. On May 29 1864, the new church of Our Lady of the Angels was 'Privately' blessed and the first mass celebrated. In April 1873 new works to St Mary's giving the church a cruciform shape were commenced for the chancel, transept, sacristy, tower and school room, the expenses entirely defrayed by Thomas Gaisford.

On November 12 1873, the new buildings were solemnly blessed and opened by Bishop J Danell and the Altar of the Sacred Heart was consecrated. On April 5 1900, important additions to the church were commenced including a new Aisle and Baptistery and enlargement of the Porch and Sacristy, the whole expense (about £1000) paid by the Dowager Lady Loder. Plans were drawn up and work commenced in 1938 to extend the nave westwards.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is of plum-red brick, as the adjacent convent which is part of the composition, with a steep tiled roof and plate tracery. The church has rose windows in the east end (ritual west) and north transept, and three lancets in the choir end. The north side fronts Richmond Road, the east end Crescent Road and the south side abuts the Convent. There is a projecting porch with double arches on colonettes and belfry with miniature spire on the north side, together with a modern single-storey extension.

Three handsome stained windows in the chancel were given by Thomas Gaisford as a memorial of Lady Emily Gaisford. A stone memorial is mounted on the exterior of the East Wall of the church listing the parishioners of Saint Mary's who lost their lives in the First World War.

The interior is very plain. In October 1902, an altar dedicated to the Holy Souls was erected in the North Aisle as a memorial shrine to the deceased Catholic relatives of the Dowager Lady Loder, at her ladyship's sole cost. In 1908 it was recognised that Father Purdon had completed, single-handedly, thirty-eight years of work in church and parish.

Music and liturgy

The parish celebrates Mass in the Malabar Rite and in Italian on Sundays. The parish celebrates an International Mass where parishioners from over twenty countries wear national costumes and gather in Sion School Hall after Mass for a shared meal. The parish has regular prayer groups including Mother's Prayers, the Charismatic Prayer Group and the Divine Mercy Prayer Group. The church broadcasts services via a web cam to a worldwide audience, established to benefit housebound parishioners.

Parish life

Together with other denominations, the parish supports Worthing's Churches Homeless Organisation. The parish belongs to the Eastern Hub Community, which also includes St Michael – Worthing and Shoreham with Steyning & Upper Beeding.

Regular events

The parish joins the ecumenical mission 'More Than Gold', which is organised by Worthing Churches Together. The parish holds an annual Parish Council Forum.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish runs an RCIA programme for adults exploring the Catholic faith and considering becoming members of the Catholic Church. Baptism registration must be completed at least eight weeks before the baptism.

The confirmation preparation is aimed at young people around Year 10. Couples wishing to marry in the parish are asked to meet a priest to discuss the process and receive information on a Marriage Preparation Course.

Notable people and events

On 4 September 1917 Bishop Amigo made Fr Purdon an Honorary Canon. On October 20 1923, Canon Purdon died by which time he had given fifty-three years of his priestly life to the parish of Worthing.