St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Brockworth

Introduction

Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Brockworth, within the Diocese of Clifton, traces its origins to the first Mass celebrated in the town since the Reformation on 22 November 1942. That first Mass was held in the hostel area cinema adjoining the aircraft factory.

History

Irish building workers helped dig footings for the new hall, saving thousands of pounds, and the hall was named St Patrick's at their suggestion. The first marriage in the church hall was that of Mr and Mrs Richard Long, the first Catholic wedding in the area for four centuries. Fr Collins died on 30 March 1985 after twelve years at Brockworth. A new parish priest was appointed to St Patrick's Parish in early 1997 by the bishop.

The Sisters of the Presentation of Our Lady arrived in the parish in late 1977. In April 2008 the Presentation Convent in Court Road closed. A new Parish Centre was opened at the beginning of the new millennium, with a hall seating 150. On 5 July 2008 a parishioner was ordained to the Diaconate and began ministry the following day.

Architecture and furnishings

The new church had Italian stained glass windows flanking the altar, paid for by a donation from Mrs Maddox. In February 1981 the new pipe organ was in use, installed over the porch area. During the dedication ceremony, relics of Saints and Martyrs were set into the altar stone.

Parish life

A new Girl Guide Company was organised in 1976, registered as 2nd Brockworth (St Patrick's). The first parish newsletter was published in September 1973. On 1 December 1987 a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated for the Beatification of the Gloucestershire martyrs. In 1968 the branch of the Union of Catholic Mothers was disbanded after fourteen years.

A Folk Group had been formed to provide music for monthly Folk Masses. On 5 March 1946 a production of The Pirates of Penzance was held at the Brockworth hostel cinema by students of St Paul's Training College. The annual bazaar in 1973 made a profit of £173. In 1975 the profit on the Christmas Bazaar held in November totalled £278.

A Mother Theresa Group met monthly to collect and make clothing for the destitute of the Third World. Visitors arriving by car will find 52 parking spaces plus 3 accessible spaces, with an accessible entrance at the car park end.

Regular events

The Christmas Bazaar profit reached £544 in 1979 and £582 in 1980. A Summer Fete took place on Saturday July 6th 1957 on land near the hall. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society was re-started during 1980 with weekly meetings. The parish newsletter became a weekly issue in 1976.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Marriages require at least six months' notice for instruction to be given. The Mary Club is a social and study group open to all parishioners. The parish has an Archconfraternity of St Stephen for altar servers. In 1974 the parish newsletter mentioned that regular religious instruction periods were to be continued for children attending non-Catholic schools.