St. Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield

Introduction

Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Springfield, in the Diocese of Brentwood, was an ecumenical building project shared with the Anglicans, United Reformed Church and Methodists, serving Chelmer Village.

History

A Mass centre was opened in Springfield in 1961, served from Our Lady Immaculate, Chelmsford. A resident priest was appointed in October 1982 to serve the Catholic users of the present church. St Augustine's became a separate Catholic parish in 1985. St Augustine's became part of the Linked Chelmsford Parishes in 2022. The enlargement won a design award from the Chelmsford Society in 2008.

Architecture and furnishings

The church was designed originally as a single large rectangular space which could be subdivided into one large and two smaller halls by moveable screens. In 2007 the building was greatly enlarged on the eastern side by the addition of a new worship space with curving copper-clad outer walls. Families may arrange for a Cantor to lead the singing of a Psalm at funerals, with the Parish Priest informed.

Parish life

SVP Chelmsford provides help and support in many ways across the community. SVP supports HMP Chelmsford by supplying reading glasses and collecting and delivering clothing and footwear, and has supported ex-prisoners with clothing, footwear, back packs and books. SVP supports the Angel Tree Project by collecting gifts for the children of prisoners at Christmas. With the support of OLI Primary School, children's reading books were collected for transport to a school in Ukraine.

SVP members meet fortnightly and their work covers Chelmsford and some outlying areas. Parish groups meet for prayer, social action, leisure and the support of others in the life of the Church. The parish has a CAFOD group. The parish has a Catholic Clothing Guild.

The Synodal group meets regularly to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to seek ways of furthering Communion Participation and Mission across the Chelmsford parishes. CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. CAFOD works with partners across the world to bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities. Ample parking is available in front of the church building.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Those who wish to become Catholic may be received into full communion and receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Couples must attend a Marriage Preparation Course conducted by Marriage Care; in Chelmsford the course is called FOCCUS.

Readings at the Funeral Mass must be taken from Sacred Scripture; poems and other texts are not suitable. Only sacred Christian music may be used in church at funerals.