Our Lady Immaculate Church, Chelmsford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady Immaculate Church |
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| Location | Chelmsford, Essex |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | ChelmsfordCatholic.co.uk |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Immaculate Conception |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Joseph John Scoles |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | October 1847 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Mid-Essex |
| Diocese | Brentwood |
| Province | Westminster |
Our Lady Immaculate Church (formerly the Church of the Immaculate Conception) is a Roman Catholic Parish church in Chelmsford, Essex, England. It was founded in 1845, opened in 1847 and designed by Joseph John Scoles. It is situated on New London Road, next to Our Lady Immaculate Primary School, close to the junction with Anchor Street, in the city centre. It is served by the Premonstratensians from their only community in the UK, St. Philip's Priory.
Contents
History
Foundation
In 1840, the site for the church was bought. It was purchased from Charles King, the father of the first mission priest to the area. In 1845, the mission to Catholic population in Chelmsford was founded.
Construction
In October 1847, the church was opened by the then Vicar Apostolic of the London District, Nicholas Wiseman. In 1850, he became Archbishop of Westminster and a cardinal. The church was originally dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The architect was Joseph John Scoles. The main benefactors of the church were Charles King and William Petre, 12th Baron Petre. It was Lord Petre who chose Scoles to design the church. The church was built in the Gothic Revival style by the builders, Messrs Curtis of Stratford. The Lady altar in the church was originally in Thorndon Hall, home of Lord Petre. The east window in the church was made in Newcastle upon Tyne by Thomas Dunn and inspired by a design of Augustus Pugin.
Parish
Since 2008, the church has been served by the Premonstratensians from St. Philip's Priory. They also serve another parish, Holy Name Church in Chelmsford. Holy Name Church was built in 1965 and is on the corner of Lucas Avenue and Gloucester Avenue in the Moulsham Lodge area of Chelmsford. Holy Name Church has two Sunday Masses: 6:00pm on Saturday and 10:30am on Sunday.
Our Lady Immaculate Church has three Sunday Masses: 9:00am, 12:00pm and 7:00pm.
Interior
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Church nave
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Altar
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Pope Benedict XVI's coat of arms on the organ
