St. Aldhelm's Church, Malmesbury

Introduction

Saint Aldhelm's Church in Malmesbury, within the Diocese of Clifton, was built to a simple design and handed over for worship on 1st July 1875.

History

In 705, Aldhelm was made Bishop of Sherborne. On 25th May 709, Aldhelm died in Somerset and his funeral procession travelled 50 miles to Malmesbury. On Palm Sunday, 14 April 1867, a priest said Mass in the large parlor of Cross Hayes House in the presence of 22 people.

Architecture and furnishings

The statue of Our Lady of La Salette at the back of the Church was brought by a priest as a reminder of his work. The large oil painting in the Church, almost 10 feet high, is of Our Lady of Guadelope, dating from about 1700. St Aldhelm's has three fine stained-glass windows from the old pro-Cathedral at Clifton.

A stained-glass window for St Francis de Sales was erected at St Aldhelms in the year commemorating the 400th anniversary of his death. St Aldhelm's is perhaps the first parish in the country to have a stained glass window created for Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Parish life

The youth group raises funds for Mary’s Meals through Christmas sales. Mothers Prayers group gathers after Mass on Monday mornings, with about 20 members and an average of 6 attending weekly. The Parish Pastoral Council investigates pastoral matters and recommends practical conclusions to the parish priest.

Parishioners prayed to Saint Carlo Acutis for the recovery of a 6-year-old girl with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, who regained full movement in her upper body. The parish has composed three sets of prayers for the intercession of Saint Carlo, tailored for children, youth, and adults. The parish hall project aims to provide a dedicated space for catechesis, children's education, and social gatherings, as the parish has never had one.

Eucharistic Ministers and Readers attended a workshop and training session. The parish holds a reflection and confession service twice a year, once during Lent and once during Advent.