St Thomas More

Introduction

The church of St Thomas More opened in 1975 with its Liturgy Centre. The church is designed for ease of participation in the mass and for liturgical experimentation.

Architecture and furnishings

The church's interior is enhanced by Russian-inspired icons and a powerful contemporary crucifix from a North London chapel. In early 2022, a series of stained glass windows were unveiled at St Thomas More Church. The stained glass windows commemorate those who died of Covid-19 and were given in thanks for NHS workers during the pandemic in 2019-21. The purple glass was manufactured in Birmingham, in the last remaining stained glass factory in the country, and the rest in Germany.

Parish life

The parish runs groups for prayer, social action, Sacramental preparation, youth work and support of others. The parish serves the wider community through collaboration with local Citizens networks and international development organizations such as CAFOD. The offices of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice and the Irish Elderly Network are at the side of the building.

Marriage Preparation Courses are held at St Thomas More Church and not online. The parish runs a First Holy Communion programme for children in Year 3 or above.

Sacraments and pastoral care

To have a child baptised, parents attend a Sunday Mass and approach the parish priest after the Mass. Confirmation preparation is for those in Year 9 or above. Those who are not Catholic and wish to come into Full Communion approach the parish priest at the end of Mass.