St. Anne, Vauxhall

Introduction

Saint Anne, Vauxhall, in London, is a dark red brick church with slated roofs in early English style, built in 1903-7 by F A Walters.

History

Bishop Patrick Fenton, Auxiliary of Westminster, consecrated the High Altar on 6th November 1906. A large chapel extension stands behind a wrought iron screen from the north aisle.

Architecture and furnishings

The church has a tall, saddleback north-west tower of 4 stages with paired lancets and large bell openings in the top stage. The interior has a 5-bay nave with narrow aisles divided into one-bay sections. The church contains a carved stone octagonal pulpit with sounding-board and a low arcaded wall before the chancel steps. The whole chancel is covered with bright stencil patterns and there is a carved and painted reredos.

A large organ by J. W. Walker & Sons was ordered and its erection was finished early in 1906. Rood figures are hung from the roof and rest on a beam, with no screen.

The tower's weathercock is about 90 feet above ground level. The belfry contains a bell by Mears and Steinbank weighing eleven hundredweight, given in 1923 by Mrs. Ada Watney and consecrated by Bishop William Keatings. A small tenor bell by Carr of Smethwick, weighing two and a quarter hundredweight, was hung in the bell tower above the Sanctuary arch when the Nave was built. The organ is well known to musicians and many distinguished organists have played on it.

Parish life

The parish runs a Young Adults Activity Group for parishioners aged 18 and over. Children must be in Year 3 or above to be prepared for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The sick and housebound are remembered regularly in prayer. Young people wishing to receive Confirmation are usually in Year 9 and must be sufficiently mature. Baptised adults seeking Confirmation should contact the Parish Priest.

Parents who wish to have their child baptised should contact the parish priest. Saint Anne's is a registered place of marriage and requires at least 6 months notice for marriage preparation.

Confessions can be heard in Spanish. RCIA programmes are available by speaking to the parish priest.