St Anne

Introduction

St Anne's church in Wappenbury sits on a large fortified Iron Age settlement dating back to approximately 700BC known as the Wappenbury camp. St Anne's was the first Catholic parish church built in the diocese since the Reformation. The new chapel at St Anne's was opened in 1849 by Bishop Nicholas Wiseman and dedicated to St Anne.

History

An early Catholic directory mentions a Catholic Mission at Wappenbury in 1734. The first Diocesan records of the Mission start in 1744 with a record of baptisms. The old farmhouse used in part as the church had burnt down. St Anne's was completely renovated and refurbished between January and September 2014.

Walls stripped of plaster and scaffolding erected – February 2014. The project was made possible through contributions from the parish community, Bernard Waddoups RIP, The Parkhouse Charitable Trust, The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and others. The re-dedication of St Anne's took place on Saturday 18 June 2016. The celebration Mass was conducted by the Archbishop of Birmingham and several priests. The priest at this time and recorded at Wappenbury was Fr W Walmsley OSF, 1744-1768.

Architecture and furnishings

The small chapel built by Lord Clifford is reliably assumed to be the current Sanctuary. The church was ready to have the pews returned and a new porch was added in September 2014. Experts in the various trades and fine artists were called upon to work on the church and towards a sensitive reordering of the church. Great care was taken, including use of old photographs, to recreate the decorative order that can be seen in the present church.

Parish life

The incumbent priest of St Anne's offered Mass for the nuns at St Mary's Priory, which later became Princethorpe College. The First World War memorial was erected by the Benedictine nuns of St Mary's Priory, now Princethorpe College, with a dedication service on 18 September 1922. To raise funds for the memorial restoration the parish held a dinner at Harrington's Restaurant in Kenilworth and a raffle at the parish summer BBQ. The cemetery at St Anne's has its oldest grave dating from the 1800s.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Marriages in this parish can only be conducted according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church. Twelve months notice is usually required before a marriage ceremony can take place in this parish; the minimum is six months.

Visiting

A ramp provides easy access to the church for those who have difficulty with steps. Wheelchairs can easily be accommodated within the church. Weddings with 80/90 guests can be accommodated at St Anne's. Biodegradable confetti only is permitted outside the church but not within the building itself. Two pedestals are available for flower arrangements introduced into the chapel.