Christ the King Church, Wimbledon Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ the King Church |
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Front entrance
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| Location | Wimbledon Park |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | ChristTheKingParish.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Founder(s) | Society of Jesus |
| Dedication | Christ the King |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Architect(s) | Adrian Gilbert Scott |
| Style | Italianate |
| Groundbreaking | 1926 |
| Completed | 1928 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Merton |
| Archdiocese | Southwark |
| Province | Southwark |
Christ the King Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Wimbledon Park area of Wimbledon, in the London Borough of Merton. It was started in 1913. The church building itself was completed in 1928 by a group called the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. The famous architect Adrian Gilbert Scott designed the church.
Contents
History of Christ the King Church
Jesuits Arrive in Wimbledon
In 1877, a religious group called the Jesuits came to Wimbledon. They were asked to come by Edith Arendup, who was part of the Courtauld family. The Jesuits had a training house nearby in Roehampton.
In 1887, Edith Arendup asked for another church to be built, which became Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon. From this church, the Jesuits served the Catholic people in the area. Starting in 1913, a priest named Father Ignatius O'Gorman SJ began traveling to help Catholics in the Wimbledon Park area.
Building the Church
At first, the leader of Sacred Heart Church only allowed one Sunday Mass to be held in the Wimbledon Park area. But in 1926, the leader and the Archbishop of Southwark, Peter Amigo, agreed to let Father O'Gorman build a new church.
Adrian Gilbert Scott designed the church. It was finished in 1928. This new church was meant to be a "chapel of ease." This means it was a smaller church that helped people attend services more easily, without having to travel to the main parish church.
The church was originally going to be named after Saint Austin. However, in 1925, Pope Pius XI created a new special day called the Feast of Christ the King. Because of this, the church was instead dedicated to Christ the King. The church hall, however, kept the name St Austin.
Becoming a Parish Church
In 1955, Christ the King Church stopped being just a chapel of ease. It officially became its own parish church. A parish church is the main church for a specific local area. The first parish priest was Father Jordan SJ.
In 1959, the Jesuits handed over the running of the church. It was given to the Diocese of Southwark, who still manage the parish today.
Parish Life
Christ the King Church holds several Masses every Sunday. There is one Mass on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. On Sunday, Masses are held at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 5:30 PM. There is also a special Mass in Polish every Sunday at 12:45 PM. Weekday Masses are held at 9:30 AM from Monday to Saturday.
Inside the Church
Here are some pictures showing the inside of Christ the King Church:
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The main area where people sit, called the Nave
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The area near the altar, called the Chancel
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A smaller chapel, often dedicated to the Virgin Mary, called the Lady chapel
See also
- List of Jesuit sites
- Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon
