St Mary Church

Introduction

The church was opened in 1827 and is a Grade II listed building. The church is stuccoed brick with a slate roof, in Greek style with giant Doric pilasters and pediments at east and west.

Architecture and furnishings

The interior has a shallow coffered tunnel vault, a west gallery with organ carried on two Doric columns, and at the east end four engaged fluted Ionic columns with entablature. The west wall features clasping pilasters and two further pilasters flanking the doorway, which slopes inwards towards the top, with architrave and moulded cornice. The north and south walls each have five bays, with the outer ones recessed between pilasters, and windows with lugged architraves and a sill band. The east wall is similar to the west wall but has no openings, and to its left is a single storey one-bay link to the presbytery.

Music and liturgy

The parish's liturgical life includes active participation in altar serving, reading, and Eucharistic Ministry. Music at the church is provided by a choir with organ and an instrumental group. A highlight of the year is a multi-cultural mass at Pentecost with participation in over twenty languages from Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe.

Parish life

The parish's SVP and Overseas Charities Groups support the needy locally and worldwide, with a weekly collection for the local food bank and collections for CAFOD and Water Aid. The parish runs a Guild of Saint Stephen for Altar Servers. The parish has a Vocationist Co-operators group.

The parish holds regular social events including refreshments after mass, quiz evenings and curry evenings. The parish holds a Christmas Bazaar as a community event. The parish offers regular opportunities for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Rosary before Masses. The parish has a Legion of Mary group.