The Holy Redeemer

Introduction

The Holy Redeemer Church in Hollington, within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, was built in 1934/35 on land purchased in January 1933, with costs donated by Major Holman in thanksgiving for his son's ordination.

History

The church was initially consecrated as a Chapel of Ease in October 1935, and the first Mass was celebrated in January 1935. In 1962 it became a parish in its own right, but at that time the Church was in a very sorry and dilapidated state. In 1986 the Church was enlarged to its present form at a cost of £250,000, with the altar moved to the east side. The extended Church was consecrated on the 23 June 1987. The Holy Redeemer Church celebrated its golden jubilee in June 2012.

Architecture and furnishings

The original Sacristy remains in the same use but the old chancel is an office/meeting room and the old nave forms the rear part of the new enlarged Nave. The Church is a tall, brick walled building with two principle pitched roofs over the worship space and a large, wide valley between. The main walls are faced in a red stock brick and the Church extension has a feature of very large brick buttresses. The windows to the extension are modern double glazed UPVC windows and there are triangular stained glass windows behind the Altar.

The main body of the Church has a barrel vaulted suspended ceiling. Heat is distributed by a mix of blown air and radiators from a gas boiler in the basement. The Church has ramped access with handrails leading to the entrance.

In 2010 the UCM commissioned a window of the Mother and Child to celebrate their Golden Jubilee. There is a modern timber Font to the side of the Dais. The Church has an electric organ and an upright piano. The church has timber, mobile pews.

The Stations of the Cross are painted plaster plaques around the Church walls. The chapel has upholstered wooden chairs. The original sanctuary serves as a meeting room and office. The church has an older basic sound system and a hearing loop.

Attractive, well-maintained gardens surround the church. A new marble altar from Connemara was purchased shortly after the appointment of a new parish priest and remains in the church.

The oak pulpit, oak dais chairs, and benches are generally in good order, as is the marble altar. Sanctuary furniture includes modern oak furniture, chairs, and a stand for the tabernacle. The parish's musicians and choir provide music mainly at Sunday Holy Masses.

Parish life

The parish serves the Catholic community of St Leonards & Hollington. The Parish of the Good Shepherd was formed on 19 May 2013, with its pastoral inauguration sanctified by a Mass celebrated by the diocesan bishop. The parish was formed from two previously separate parishes, both located in Saint Leonards on Sea, East Sussex. The parish hall was erected after the site was cleared by volunteers, and it has proved to be a valuable asset.

The Community Development Team brings the congregation together for socialising and fundraising, organising events to fundraise for the parish and other local charities. The parish held a second collection for the CAFOD Venezuela Earthquake Appeal, raising £410.65.

Regular events

The parish holds a Christmas Fair, Italian nights, Bingo nights, and coffee mornings. Flower teams ensure the churches have flowers on a weekly basis.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish requires one year's notice for marriage preparation. The parish administers the anointing of the sick to those going into hospital and during illness. Baptism preparation is initiated by introducing oneself to the priest at Holy Mass.

Visiting

Parking is available within the church grounds. The extensive well-maintained garden around the church features trees, grassed areas, flower beds, shrubs, a memorial wall and statues. Wheelchair users can enter the church through the main entrance using the adjacent ramp. On the east side, a small narthex contains a staircase leading up to a glazed gallery room.

The ground floor narthex toilet has tiled walls, plastered ceilings and a sheet vinyl floor. The narthex toilet is not a disabled-size toilet but does have grab rails. A part-glazed gallery room over the east entrance has a timber screen. The gallery toilet has painted plastered walls and ceiling, tiling to toilet and basin areas, a hand basin, cubicle, WC and electric water heater.

The back stair is concrete, covered in carpet, with an entrance mat by the door. The narthex has plastered walls and a painted panelled ceiling with an entrance mat carpet. Paths around the church are a mix of tarmac and concrete with low retaining walls. St Vincent's Flats form the southern boundary.

The garage is a stained timber boarded structure with a lightweight timber frame and a shallow pitched mineral-faced felt roof. The large number of trees in the church grounds should be regularly inspected by a tree surgeon. Various statues of Our Lady and other Saints are positioned around the church.