St Teresa of Lisieux

Introduction

In the year 2000, the church was extended, and an apsidal sanctuary designed by S. B. Harris was added.

History

The church was originally constructed in 1853–54 as a Primitive Methodist chapel. Later it became a Salvation Army citadel, and by 1927 it was being used as a laundry. The Catholic mission at Radford was served by Jesuit priests and grew out of the recusant tradition associated with the Browne family of Kiddington Hall. The Browne family helped fund the construction of a new chapel at Radford, along with a convent and school, overseen by a priest, with design by A. W. Pugin.

In 1969 the decision was made to close the church at Radford and move the Parish centre to Charlbury. In 2026 St Teresa’s Parish formally joined with the parish of Holy Trinity, Chipping Norton, to become the new Parish of the Assumption.

Music and liturgy

Cantors lead the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation and Communion Antiphon, working closely with the organists. St Teresa's has five organists who take turns playing the Sunday Mass parts and hymns.

Parish life

The Way Forward Group is open to all who consider themselves members of the community and meets every six weeks to two months. Welcomers stand by the door greeting people and offering children's books or colouring materials to new children. Parishioners can submit items to the bulletin.

The community agreed to call itself the community at St Teresa's church, as it can no longer call itself the parish of St Teresa's. A bring and share parish picnic was agreed to help all meet each other and eat. The community agreed to document all community activity through the website, Charlbury Chronicle, and a Facebook page. The community agreed to return to an annual or bi-annual parish magazine.

A prayer tree was agreed for individuals to add names or intentions so that members of the parish can pray for them. The community agreed to print out photos from the website and share them on the notice board inside the church. The church is on Fisher's Lane, Charlbury, with the entrance through a gate on Sheep Street.