St Mary of the Angels

Introduction

The church of St Mary of the Angels in Aldridge was opened for Mass for the first time at Christmas 1962.

History

The first Mass in Aldridge since pre-Reformation days was said on 8th October 1939 in the Avion Cinema. The Franciscan community moved from Shelfield to Aldridge on 11th July 1941, into a property named The Friary.

Architecture and furnishings

The reredos figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary surrounded by Angels were cast and carved in 'cement fondu' and fibreglass on a background of sculpted Westmoreland green slate. The pulpit is faced with a plain block of polished Roman Stone marble similar to the altar, with oak side-panels and railings. In March 2007 a new font was placed in the Sanctuary and panels added to the Tabernacle pedestal. The narthex contains a coloured mosaic panel depicting the Franciscan Order with crossed hands, Cross and heavenly rays.

The central aisle of the nave has three inset coloured mosaic panels, the central one a star and the two outer ones the Franciscan Cross. In 1965 Mass was said for the first time with the priest facing the people using a temporary altar. In July 1971 the high altar was moved from the rear of the Sanctuary to its present position. Eric Farmer L.R.I.B.A. of Walsall designed the church.

Music and liturgy

The parish has both a traditional choir and a folk group who on alternate weeks enhance the Sacred Liturgy with musical talents both instrumental and vocal. In the mid-1960s there were major changes in the Liturgy as a result of decisions taken at the Second Vatican Council. The organ was stripped down and rebuilt, the heating system upgraded and the building redecorated. A set of Stations of the Cross were fixed to the outside wall of the Sanctuary with the final station on the wall area of the Prayer Garden. The church bell rings out the Angelus/Regina Cæli each day.

Parish life

The CAFOD Group raises funds to support a village in some of the poorest parts of the world. The parish was nominated the 50th Live Simply Parish in the UK in 2018. The LIFE Group works as a collection of the Churches in the Walsall Deanery, with a Helpstation at Saint Mary the Mount, Glebe Street, Walsall. The Parish SVP Group meets monthly in the Presbytery meeting room. During Lent the Stations of the Cross are celebrated on Fridays and Sundays.