St Hugh of Lincoln

Introduction

St Hugh of Lincoln Church in Woodstock, within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, was officially opened and blessed on June 17, 1934, by Archbishop Thomas Leighton Williams.

History

The dedication to St Hugh was suggested by parishioner Mrs Parry Eden because he was the only saint known to have any connection with Woodstock. Father Stephen Webb, SJ, was appointed as the first parish priest in 1933. In 1937, 23 Hensington Road became the parish house in which all parish priests lived until 1955 when the presbytery was built at Kidlington.

Architecture and furnishings

The church was built to seat 107 people, but about 150 crowded into the building for the opening Mass. In 1981, the roof had to be replaced with a simpler, more maintenance-free structure. Harrison and Co., a Birmingham firm, designed the church.

Parish life

The offertory procession with gifts is to be resumed, with two acolytes with candles followed by the water and wine and offertory collection carried by a family or parishioners. The parish supports Liturgy for Children on Sundays. Children's liturgy teaches the Gospel message and the structure and importance of the Mass in a gentle and age appropriate way.

Confessions are heard on Saturdays at Kidlington and Wednesdays at Woodstock after Mass. Confessions are available at St Hugh's on Wednesday after mass, by appointment.