St. Mary's Church, Aldershot

Introduction

Saint Mary's Church, Aldershot, in the Diocese of Portsmouth, is part of St Joseph's Parish, which also includes St Joseph's Church.

History

In 1869, Bishop Thomas Grant appointed Father Thomas Purcell as the first Priest in Charge of the Aldershot Mission District. In May 1882, the Diocese of Portsmouth was formed and Aldershot was moved from Southwark to become part of the new diocese.

The east wall is dominated by a huge Calvary of the crucified Christ flanked by the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Apostle. St Mary's Roman Catholic Church was built in 1962/63. St Mary's Church was dedicated on 25th March 1963, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. Following the Second Vatican Council, the church was modernised and the main altar was moved further away from the east wall for versus populum celebrations. The RCIA journey normally begins each autumn and leads towards the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is a simple modern building on a traditional cruciform plan. The church was originally designed with a high altar at the liturgical east end for ad orientem celebrations. Inside, the church has a raised main altar and two side chapels.

Music and liturgy

St Mary's is normally used on Saturday evenings for the First Mass of Sunday and for Mass on Monday and Wednesday mornings. The parish runs an RCIA programme for adults exploring the Catholic faith. The parish has a public group called 'Questions and Answers'.