The Sacred Heart, Leighton Buzzard

Introduction

The Sacred Heart in Leighton Buzzard was granted permission in 1952 for a larger brick church for 200-250 worshippers, and the building put up for that purpose was consecrated in 1953. A tin chapel dated to 1895-1900 was the first church the parish built in Leighton Buzzard, at the end of the nineteenth century. On 5 September 1892 Mrs Elizabeth White passed her Midland Railway investment to the diocese so the parish could be founded.

History

Joseph Stevenson, a former vicar of All Saints, was ordained priest in 1872 after he and his wife converted to Catholicism in 1862. The iron church was begun on the south-west side of Beaudesert Road, near the junction with the Vandyke and Hockliffe Roads. The new Roman Catholic church in Beaudesert was to open on a Thursday with a dedicatory sermon and with sermons on Sunday.

In 1901 Father Reilly handed the parish to Canon Stokes. Records of the 1930s show Mass attendance of around 40 and a collection of eight shillings. The Tin Chapel served the Catholic community until the 1950s.

In 1987, when a priest arrived, the Mass centres at Wing and Ivinghoe were closed because the parish was reduced to one priest for the first time since 1966. The iron church was to have a pointed bell turret over the nave.

The altar was turned around in the 1970s following Vatican II. During term time, children’s religious education classes are held.

Architecture and furnishings

The 1953 church originally had large wooden ceiling supports forming arches along the side aisles, and a carving of Christ on the cross set high above the front of the altar. In the late 1960s weeds were found in a pillar thought solid; the hollow pillars were failing and the ceiling was falling in, the supports were removed and the church was re-roofed.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Marriage Care from Bletchley runs the marriage preparation courses. Baptism, marriage and healing can be arranged by appointment.

Baptism may occasionally be possible on a Saturday. People are greeted at weekend Masses by the Welcomers Group, which also assists at funerals. The parish belongs to the Bedfordshire Pastoral Area Council and to Churches Together for Leighton Linslade.