Corpus Christi Church, Boscombe Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Corpus Christi Church
Catholic Church of Corpus Christi, Boscombe
South side of the church
Corpus Christi Church Location in Dorset
50°43′38″N 1°49′47″W / 50.727315°N 1.829851°W / 50.727315; -1.829851
OS grid reference	SZ1208991974
Location	Boscombe, Dorset
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	CorpusChristiBoscombe.org.uk
History
Status	Active
Founded	1895 (1895)
Founder(s)	Baroness Pauline von Hugel
Dedication	Body of Christ
Consecrated	8 September 1896
Events	Extended 1932-34 Re-ordered 1974
Architecture
Functional status	Parish Church
Heritage designation	Grade II
Designated	27 February 1976
Architect(s)	J. William Lunn
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	22 August 1895
Completed	22 April 1934
Construction cost	£5000 (£15,000 extension)
Specifications
Capacity	800
Spire height	108 ft (33 m)
Administration
Deanery	Bournemouth
Diocese	Portsmouth
Province	Southwark

Corpus Christi Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Boscombe, a town near Bournemouth in Dorset, England. It was started in 1895 by Baroness Pauline von Hugel and a group of priests called the Jesuits. Today, it is looked after by the Diocese of Portsmouth. The church stands on St. James' Square, at the corner of Parkwood Road and Christchurch Road. It has a tall bell tower, about 108 feet high, from which you can even see the Isle of Wight.

History of Corpus Christi Church
Church Community
Interior
See also

History of Corpus Christi Church

How the Church Started

The first Catholic place of worship in Boscombe began in 1887. This was when a group of nuns, called the Religious of the Cross, moved to the area. They bought a large piece of land. On this land, John Vertue, who was the first Bishop of Portsmouth, set up a small public chapel. This chapel was made of iron and was bought from Lord Petre.

The iron chapel officially opened on New Year's Day in 1888. A Jesuit priest named Father Charles de Lapasture SJ, who was based in Bournemouth, looked after it. The building of the convent itself started on September 6, 1888. A year later, a school called Corpus Christi Primary School was built right next door.

The main person who helped start Corpus Christi Church was Baroness Pauline von Hügel. She was from a famous family; her father was an Austrian nobleman and botanist, and her brothers were a theologian and an anthropologist. As the school was built, people realized they needed a bigger, permanent church. Baroness von Hugel decided to build a church that would serve both the local people and the nuns nearby. To do this, she bought a property called 'Holyrood' and two acres of land. This land stretched from Christchurch Road all the way to the Convent garden.

Building the Church

Construction work on the church began in 1895. The architect was J. William Lunn, who came from Malvern, Worcestershire. He also designed other churches, like Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, King's Lynn, St Catherine's Church in Chipping Campden, and St Edmund Church in Southampton.

On September 8, 1896, the church was officially opened by Bishop John Vertue. Baroness Pauline von Hugel decided to give the church to the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). This meant that Father de Lapasture SJ became the first parish priest. The church was built with a main hall (nave) that was fifty meters high. It was designed to hold up to 400 people.

Making the Church Bigger

In 1926, Father Ralph Baines SJ became the new parish priest. He decided that the church needed to be larger. A special fund was started to help pay for the expansion, which was expected to cost £15,000. Work began in August 1932 and was finished by March 1934.

The newly enlarged church could now hold 800 people. The most noticeable new part was a tall tower, standing 108 feet high. Bishop Cotter blessed the expanded church on April 22, 1934.

Changes Inside the Church

In 1974, the inside of the church was changed again. This was done to follow new rules from the Second Vatican Council. These rules said that everyone in the congregation should be able to clearly see the altar. So, the altar was moved closer to the people. After this work was completed, Bishop Derek Worlock officially consecrated the church on July 18, 1974.

Church Community

In 2007, the Jesuits expanded their presence in the area. They opened the Corpus Christi Jesuit Community Care Home right next to the church. Corpus Christi Church has many different groups and organizations for its members. These include prayer groups, music groups, and choirs.

Right next door to the church is Corpus Christi Primary School. This is a school for children aged 4 to 11 years old. In May 2022, it was announced that the Jesuits would no longer be able to serve the parish. The church was then handed over to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, who continue to manage it today.