St Thomas More

Introduction

St Thomas More Church in Kidlington was completed and ready for use in March 1968. The first Mass was celebrated on Holy Thursday 1968.

History

The Archdiocesan Directory for 1906 records that on May 25, 1905 'Mass was celebrated in Kidlington for the first time since the Reformation in the Sisters' Oratory'. A new Mass centre was opened in Kidlington in 1935. The hall church cost £750 to build and, together with £500 still to be paid on the school building at Woodstock, left the parish with a debt of £1,250. In 1974, the parish benefited from a legacy of Mrs Geraldine East, of Kirtlington, who left £4,418, sufficient to clear the debt on the church. In 1981, the roof had to be replaced with a simpler, more maintenance-free structure.

Parish life

Churches Together in Kidlington issued grants for schools and churches in Kidlington, with £2,500 available. The church used to have a family friendly New Year's Eve party that was very well attended.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The baptism preparation programme normally needs a few months of preparation, ideally leading to scrutiny in Lent and baptism at the Easter Vigil. Parents may prepare their child for sacraments at home following official Catholic teaching, taking responsibility for handing down the faith. Parents may prepare children in groups or bubbles with or without a volunteer catechist, sharing responsibility for teaching the faith.

A Pastoral Care Group evolved from the work of the SVP but had not met since before the Covid lockdown. A former pastoral group member trained as a bereavement counsellor by Cruse Bereavement Support was to be approached about a new pastoral and befriending group.

Visiting

Visitors are welcomed to take a tour on the parish website. Adoration is held on First Fridays of the month in Kidlington, followed by Benediction. A narrow concrete path laid by Walter Cowley and parish men can still be seen on the north side of the church.