St Wilfrid

Introduction

St Wilfrid's Church in Hailsham, within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, is the fourth church on its present site, each larger than its predecessor.

History

The parish began in a small room above a brewery in Battle Road in 1917. Mass was first said in July 1917 in the rented room over the brewery, which remained the Mass centre until August 1922. The first established church was built on the present site in 1922. At the beginning of the Second World War the Blessed Sacrament was removed and the church closed as unsafe, with Mass said at Summerheath Hall.

The first Mass in the second church was held on Rosary Sunday in 1946. The foundation stone of the third church was laid on 12 June 1954. The third church was decommissioned in 2015 upon completion of the fourth and current church, and is now used as the Parish Hall.

Architecture and furnishings

The first church measured 30ft by 15ft, was designed by an Eastbourne curate, and built at a total cost of £701.10 in 3 days. The third church was designed by Mr Bingham Towner of Uckfield, his first of many church designs for the diocese, and built at a cost of £4,000 by Richard Thorpe of Southborough, Kent.

Music and liturgy

The parish has used recorded hymns during liturgy, and has historically trained young musicians who went on to play in orchestras and professional bands. Youth participate in Mass by operating the projector to display pictures, words, and lyrics of the Mass.

Parish life

During the Sunday Mass, children are led out after the opening prayer to the hall where catechists teach them the Gospel through activities and games. After Sunday morning mass, people are invited to join in the hall for tea, coffee, biscuits and often cakes, with a sales table whose proceeds go to various charities.

Children aged 7 or above who have made their First Holy Communion are welcome to become altar servers, regardless of gender. The confirmation programme teaches Catholic devotions including Stations of the Cross, Benediction, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Holy Rosary. Confirmation services usually take place in May at Our Lady of Ransom in Eastbourne or St Thomas of Canterbury in St Leonards on Sea.

Children in Year 3 and above at school are invited to enrol in a preparation programme to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Each year, a Reconciliation service is held during Advent and Lent in preparation for Christmas and Easter.

The old church has been turned into a purpose-built hall, wheelchair friendly, where many activities take place including instructing children for First Holy Communion. The parish has raised money to build a memorial garden where loved ones' ashes can be laid to rest, with a wooden bench for sitting and reflection.

The parish holds a monthly Children's Mass where children lead the service. The parish offers home visits to bring the blessing and Holy Sacrament to those who are unwell or unable to attend Mass.

Visiting

The new church has good all round sound and vision, with a halo glow over the altar. The church has air conditioning for summer Masses and heating for winter. A guide on the parish website celebrates the centenary of the church and provides information for new people.