Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Englefield Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of Our Lady of the Assumption |
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| Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Englefield Green | |
West side of church
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| 51°25′44″N 0°34′01″W / 51.428866°N 0.566813°W | |
| Location | Englefield Green, Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | PoEgham.wordpress.com |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St Cuthbert Church |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Founder(s) | A. K. Rideout; refounded by Jurgens family |
| Dedication | Assumption of Mary |
| Dedicated | 20 September 1931 |
| Consecrated | 20 September 1931 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Goldie |
| Architectural type | Nave with small chapels and belfry tower |
| Style | Italian Romanesque |
| Years built | 1930 to 1931 |
| Groundbreaking | 25 October 1930 |
| Completed | 10 September 1931 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Cuthbert, Egham |
| Deanery | Weybridge |
| Diocese | Arundel and Brighton |
| Province | Southwark |
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is a Roman Catholic church located in Englefield Green, Surrey. It stands on St Cuthbert's Close, facing Harvest Road, in an older part of the village. This church was built between 1930 and 1931. It was designed by the architect Joseph Goldie.
Even though the church is not a special historic building, experts from English Heritage have praised its design. They said that Joseph Goldie's church is "better composed and more competently detailed than most" churches built in the Romanesque style during the 1930s. This means it's a really well-designed building.
Contents
History of the Church
How the Church Started
In 1903, Catholic services began in Englefield Green. A priest would travel from Twickenham at least once a week. These early services were held in a small chapel. This chapel was inside the grounds of a home called Sandylands. Major General Arthur Kennedy Rideout, who lived there, helped arrange for the priest to come.
In 1907, a larger wooden church was built on Harvest Road. It was named St Cuthbert's Church. The small chapel from Sandylands was then moved and attached to this new wooden church.
Building the New Church
In the late 1920s, a family named Gerard and Miriam Jurgens bought the land for a brand new church. They also paid for its construction. The first stone for the new church was laid on 25 October 1930. The church officially opened its doors on 20 September the next year.
The church was designed in an Italian basilica style. The architect was Joseph Goldie. His father and grandfather were also famous architects. The Jurgens family asked for the church to be dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady. After the new church was finished, the old wooden church was attached to it. It then became the parish hall, used for community events.
Church Design and Look
Outside the Church
The church is built like a basilica, which is a type of large hall-like building. It has a rounded area at the back called a sanctuary. There is also a tower on the southeast side. Small chapels are located on both sides of the main building.
The entire church building is painted white. Its roof is covered with special Roman tiles. Next to the church, there is a house for the priest and the parish hall. Both of these buildings are also painted white, matching the church.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has a main area called a nave. It has a narrow aisle in the middle and covered walkways on the sides. The whole inside of the church is painted.
Above the main altar, there is a large painting. It shows the Assumption of Mary. This painting was created in the 1600s by a Spanish artist named Antonio Palomino. The church organ was a gift from David Greig, who owned a chain of supermarkets.
Parish Community
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is part of the Saint Cuthbert parish. This parish also includes another church, Saint John of Rochester Church in Egham Hythe. It also serves the Catholic students and staff at Royal Holloway College, which is part of the University of London.
Here are the times for services in the parish:
- St John of Rochester Church has two services: at 6:00 pm on Saturday and at 9:15 am on Sunday.
- Our Lady of the Assumption Church holds its service at 11:00 am on Sunday.
- Royal Holloway College has a service at 7:30 pm on Sunday.
Images for kids
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Interior of the church
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The main altar inside the church
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The organ inside the church
See also
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
