St Austin

Introduction

St Austin in Stafford, in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, was built in 1862 and designed by Edward Welby Pugin.

History

A Catholic church dedicated to St Austin has existed in Stafford since 31 July 1791. The foundation stone of the new church was laid on 21 May 1861. The new church was opened on 16 July 1862 in the presence of Bishop William Bernard Ullathorne. The church was consecrated on 26 July 1911 by Edward Ilsley, the first Archbishop of Birmingham. In 1962, the centenary year, the bell turret was replaced by a tower and low steeple.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is built of brick with blue brick diapering and ashlar dressings, and has a tile roof. The plan comprises a 5-bay nave and lean-to aisles with east chapels flanking a short chancel, a north-west turret and a south-east sacristy. The interior has arch-braced roofs, part ceiled, part painted, and a chancel with richly coloured tiles below sill level.

The high altar was designed by P.P. Pugin, the younger brother of the architect of the church. In 1894 the Sacred Heart Chapel was furnished and decorated to the memory of Michael O’Sullivan, again designed by P.P. Pugin. New confessionals were built in 1900 and soon afterwards the present sacristies were built. The stone crucifix on the lawn was erected in 1929.

In December 2008 a new carpet was laid to complement the church. A west gallery houses the organ and features an arcaded balcony front. The font has quatrefoils on its sides with instruments of the Passion. A twentieth-century glazed screen stands beneath the gallery.

The church has a rich pulpit with ogee panels featuring relief scenes between canopied figures. Side altars display relief panels and figures of the Virgin and Child and the Sacred Heart. The high altar features roundels between marble shafts.

Visiting

Youth Connect welcomes young people in School Years 5–9 for fun, faith and fellowship. The church provides disabled access, accessible toilets, and a loop system for visitors.