St. Elizabeth of Portugal, Richmond

Introduction

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal in Richmond opened in 1824 and is the oldest post-Reformation Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Southwark.

History

The mission at Richmond was established in 1791 when Robert Wheble, a tallow chandler, provided space in his house on the Vineyard to hold Mass. Miss Elizabeth Doughty bought a plot of land next to Clarence House in 1821 and built a chapel there dedicated to St Elizabeth of Portugal in 1822-24. The nave was extended by one bay at the east, with a Lady Chapel at the southeast, and a more richly decorated sanctuary with side chapels and a southeast sacristy was added. At the same time, a new presbytery was built beside the church.

Two hundred years after first opening, St Elizabeth's is undergoing a major restoration project improving access to both the church and the crypt. In the 1820s, Wheble sold his property and moved to Winchester. By 1901 the chapel had become too small and a proposal for a new church was the preferred option with the congregation. Bishop (later Cardinal) Bourne vetoed the demolition and opted for an extension by F. A. Walters. To celebrate the Bicentenary in 2024, Joanna Bogle wrote a parish history, which is available in the repository or from the parish office for £10.

Architecture and furnishings

The church dates from 1824, with chancel and adjoining presbytery by F A Walters in 1903. The building is of yellow and red brick with a square tower with stone corner pilasters to upper stage, and cornices. The tower is surmounted by an hexagonal dome, open lantern and spirelet. The church has an Ionic entrance porch.

The first stage cornice of the tower is continuous with the parapet of the main body of the church behind, which is lit by arcade of simple round-headed windows rising from a band course again continuous with the tower. The church is a Grade II listed building, first listed on 24-Dec-1968. The parish runs a Choral Scholarship programme training four choral singers in leadership in parish music.

Parish life

Catholicism for the Curious is a nine-session follow-on course to Alpha for those wanting to know more about the Catholic faith. The parish encourages all parishioners to meet twice a month in smaller house groups for prayer and support. The parish has a Men's Group for men aged 18 and over who are practising their faith, meeting twice a month.

The parish runs a weekly youth group for anyone in secondary school (Year 8+), meeting every Monday during term-time. theASCENT is a three-year discipleship process for Catholic young people in years 10-13. Catholicism 101 is a small group for people aged 18-35 exploring the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, meeting fortnightly.

The parish hosts homeless night shelters, cultural exhibitions, and musical concerts. The parish runs a Youth Ministry Internship Programme for young adults to experience and contribute to youth ministry.

The parish is establishing a team to care for older parishioners and organise intergenerational activities. The parish joined the Divine Renovation Network and has become a reference point for many priests wanting to bring their parishes from maintenance to mission.

The parish runs a Lent Groups programme meeting weekly in people's homes for prayer and reflection. Reach More is a twelve-week programme for parish members to grow as disciples and share their faith, and it is on hold. The parish hosted an International Parish Renewal Conference with Divine Renovation, a two-day gathering held at the church.