The Immaculate Conception of Our Lady

Introduction

The Immaculate Conception of Our Lady in Penzance was built in 1843 in the Perpendicular Gothic style, with the south aisle added in 1869. The church retains a mid-C19 altar by J A Hansom and an 1883 organ by George Tucker.

History

In 1840, Fr William Young from Dublin settled in Penzance and purchased the site on which the church was built. The foundation stone was laid in 1841, and the church was opened on 26 October 1843 by Archbishop of Marseilles, Eugene de Mazenod. In 1852 the Oblates were forced to leave the church whilst it was advertised for sale by public auction, due to Fr Daly's mortgage default. Bishop Errington, first Bishop of Plymouth, bought back the church, fixtures and land for £905, paid off by 1863.

In 1869, the south aisle was added, housing a sacristy and Lady Chapel, and providing an extension to the schoolroom in the crypt. The organ, built by George Tucker of Plymouth, was installed in 1883. In 1892 a statue of Our Lady, by James Scott, was installed in the niche over the main entrance. In 1903 a new font was installed.

In 1982, the baldacchino was removed and the east window reopened. At the time of inspection (2013) the east window had been re-glazed with a stained glass window designed and made by Pugin, Hardman & Powell of Birmingham. On 1st April 2008, former Parishes of 'Penzance with the Isles of Scilly' and 'Saint Ives and Hayle', united as The Holy Family Parish.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is constructed of dressed Penryn granite, with the east elevation and south aisle of random blocks of Castle granite. The nave and chancel have a hammerbeam and scissor-braced timber roof supported on corbels with angel heads beneath. The high altar (1868), designed by J A Hansom, is made from polished granite with inlaid decoration in serpentine. The organ (1883), by George Tucker, is raised on a gallery approached by a flight of stairs on the south side with Gothic timber balusters and timber handrail.

The east window (2011) is by Pugin, Hardman & Powell of Birmingham and includes the depiction of eighteen saints, Christ the King and three angels. The organ in the Penzance church was built by Mr. George Tucker of the Octagon Organ Works, Plymouth at a cost of £300, all of which had been contributed. The organ was inaugurated on 23rd of September 1884. The Organ was damaged during the Church redecoration in 1982.

In 1986 it was cleaned and overhauled and made more accessible for tuning and repairs, at a cost of £3000. In 2010 the organ underwent a major restoration by David Gridley.

Music and liturgy

The choir's repertoire ranges from Plainsong through Polyphony to quality contemporary music. The choir includes Christians of other denominations as members. Gaudete, the Choir Association, supports the choir and music in the parish. The church holds a Music and Arts Festival every two years.

The organ specification includes Swell stops: Violin Diapason 8ft, Lieblick Gedact 8ft, Dulciana 8ft, Vox Angelica 8ft, Gemshorn 4ft, Dulcet Mixture 2 ranks, Horn 8ft, Oboe 8ft. The organ specification includes Pedal stops: Bourdon 16ft and Sub Bass 16ft. The organ has couplers: Great to Pedal, Swell to Pedal, Swell to Great Octave, and Swell to Great Unison. The organ has two composition pedals acting on Swell and two acting on the Great.

The organ's current specification is recorded as D05160 in the National Pipe Organ Register. The parish holds monthly Choral Evening Prayer, usually on the 3rd Sunday. The parish has an archive of music for the Triduum made for listening during Covid-19 restrictions on singing. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings and vocal tuition forms part of rehearsals. The choir welcomes new singers in all voices.

Parish life

The church is affiliated with Churches Together in Penzance Area, involved in mission projects supporting local communities. Churches Together in Penzance Area mission projects include a Food Bank, Street Pastors, and Primary School Assemblies with school chaplaincy work. The parish has a West Cornwall Catenian Group 930. The Rite of Election for catechumens takes place in the Cathedral in Plymouth during Lent.