Church of St Hugh of Lincoln, Letchworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Hugh of Lincoln, Letchworth |
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Church of St Hugh of Lincoln in Letchworth in 2017
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| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | [1] |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Hugh of Lincoln |
| Consecrated | 2007 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Stevenage |
| Diocese | Westminster |
The Church of St Hugh of Lincoln is a Catholic church located in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. A smart priest named Adrian Fortescue started it. The first church opened in 1908. It was named after Saint Hugh of Lincoln. The church you see today was built later, in 1963. It is part of the Westminster Diocese.
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The First Church: 1907-1963
When Adrian Fortescue became the priest in Letchworth in November 1907, he had a big job. He needed to build a church from nothing! He designed much of the first church himself. He even paid for a lot of it. Records show he gave more money each year than he earned.
This first small church opened in 1908 on Pixmore Way. An architect named Sir Charles Spooner designed it. It had a Romanesque style front. It was meant to be a temporary church. A house for the priest was added in 1909.
Bishop Patrick Fenton blessed the church on September 6, 1908. It was named after Saint Hugh of Lincoln. Adrian Fortescue was very interested in the Byzantine Church. He also knew many artists from the Arts and Crafts Movement. These interests influenced how the church looked inside. Some of its special items and art are still in the new church today.
This original church is now called 'Fortescue Hall'. It is used as the Church Hall. It is named after its founder, Adrian Fortescue. Over time, this first church became well-known for its music and special church services.
The Present Church Building
The first church was always meant to be temporary. The plan was to build a bigger, permanent church when enough money was found. Adrian Fortescue even drew designs for a new church before he passed away in 1923.
In 1938, a new design was made by John Edward Dixon-Spain. Building was supposed to start in September 1939. But World War II began, and plans were put on hold. Work finally started in May 1961. The new church still mostly followed Dixon-Spain's modern Romanesque design. John Willmott & Sons from Hitchin were the builders.
The church has a strong frame made of concrete and steel. Bricks cover the outside. The window and door frames are made of Clipsham stone. The main part of the church, called the nave, is wide and long. It has narrow side areas called aisles. There is also a front entrance area (narthex) and a place for baptisms (baptistery). The main altar area (sanctuary) and a special chapel for Mary (Lady Chapel) are to the south. The original flat roof was later changed to a slightly sloped concrete roof.
Cardinal William Godfrey blessed the foundation stone on April 7, 1962. The first church service, called Mass, was held on February 21, 1963.
Special Features and Art
Many items from the old church were moved into the new one. These include the holy water font and four stained-glass windows. A stone tablet honoring Adrian Fortescue was also moved. The special square alabaster baptismal font also came from the old church. It was designed by Spooner in 1911. It stands on stone columns. It has an inscription in Latin. This inscription remembers Dr. Edmond Fauriel Trevelyan, who passed away in 1911. He was a doctor and a local judge.
The Lady Chapel has a marble altar. It has carved pictures of loaves and fishes. Three stained-glass panels are also in this chapel. They show the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, Saint Hugh, and Saint Lawrence. These panels were also brought from the old church.
In the main altar area, called the Sanctuary, hangs a very large carved icon of the Crucifixion of Jesus. It is sixteen feet wide! Stephen Foster created this artwork.
In January 2007, the church's main altar area and other parts were updated. This was done to fit modern church service needs. On November 24, 2007, Bishop George Stack officially dedicated the church. This was part of the celebrations for 100 years since the church was founded. In November 2013, Archbishop Vincent Nichols held a Mass at the church. This celebrated 50 years since the current church building opened.
Images for kids
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The carved icon by Stephen Foster
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The Lady Chapel
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The alabaster baptismal font dates to 1911
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Memorial tablet to Adrian Fortescue
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Plaque to Adrian Fortescue on the side of Fortescue Hall, the former church building
