St. Mary

Introduction

The parish was founded by Abbe Louis Pierre Simon, a French emigre priest who arrived in Ipswich in 1793 to teach.

History

The Chapel was consecrated on 1st August 1827 by Dr. T. Walsh, Vicar Apostolic. Within ten years the Chapel of Saint Anthony proved too small, and Pere Simon was granted permission to enlarge the church north and south, adding a new nave of 76 feet long opening directly off the Woodbridge Road. On 10th October 1838 Dr. Walsh returned to bless the enlarged church, dedicated to Our Lady and called Saint Mary's. In 1854 Father Kemp settled in Ipswich from Stoke by Nayland, and the church was conveyed to the Bishop and Trustees.

In 1919 Bishop Keating separated the parishes of Saint Pancras and Saint Mary's and appointed Father McCaul as the first Parish Priest of Saint Mary's. In 1988 the porch area was extended, with a large repository, toilet facilities and a glazed wall into the church.

Architecture and furnishings

The church features stalls and panelling of Afromosia with panels faced in English sycamore, and a floor of African mahogany. The altar is of Ashburton marble from Devon, the pilasters and frieze are in rose and white alabaster from Derbyshire, the Sanctuary floor is Portland stone, and the skirting is grey Italian marble. The Stations of the Cross, the statues of Our Lady and Saint Joseph and the Crib figures are all hand carved, and the large Crucifix behind the altar and some pews link to the old church. Suffolk Architects Purcell and Johnson designed the modern church, which was built in 1960. The church was designed for dual purpose as a conventual chapel with nuns' stalls along the sides and as a school chapel with a wide central space.

Parish life

St Mary's is twinned with two parishes in Cambodia: Our Lady of the Assumption in Battambang and St Therese of the child Jesus in Chomnaom, with links to the Tep Im centre. The Friends of Cambodia are a parish group, open to all, that meets a few times a year and helps keep in touch with news from Cambodia and supported projects.

Regular events

The Journey of Faith course runs from September to after Easter each year. The Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are celebrated each year at the Easter Vigil.

Sacraments and pastoral care

For children and young people under 8 years old, parents are asked to speak to the parish priest after any Mass to arrange the child's baptism celebration, with some preparation needed. Preparation for Marriage is available for all couples seeking to get married in either St Mary's or Holy Family & St Michael's, with 6 months notice of marriage usually needed.

Visiting

The repository bookshop is always open at the old porch in St Mary's and in the parish room at Holy Family & St Michael's. The repository bookshop keeps a supply of crucifixes, rosaries, missals, Bibles, adult and children's devotional books, Mass cards and occasion cards.