Our Lady Immaculate Church, Chelmsford Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Our Lady Immaculate Church

51°43′45″N 0°28′04″E / 51.729093°N 0.467766°E / 51.729093; 0.467766
OS grid reference	TL7052406257
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 (which used to be called the Church of the Immaculate Conception) is a Roman Catholic church in Chelmsford, Essex, England. It's a special place of worship that was built a long time ago, opening its doors in 1847. The church was designed by an architect named Joseph John Scoles. You can find it on New London Road, right next to Our Lady Immaculate Primary School, in the heart of Chelmsford city.

History of the Church
Church Community and Services
Inside the Church
Images for kids
See also

History of the Church

How the Church Started

The land for the church was bought in 1840. It was purchased from Charles King, whose father was the first priest to serve the Catholic community in Chelmsford. In 1845, the work to establish a Catholic community, or "mission," in Chelmsford officially began.

Building the Church

The church officially opened in October 1847. The opening ceremony was led by Nicholas Wiseman. He was a very important church leader at the time. Later, in 1850, he became the Archbishop of Westminster and a Cardinal.

The church was first named after the Immaculate Conception. The main architect was Joseph John Scoles. Two important people who helped pay for the church were Charles King and William Petre, 12th Baron Petre. Lord Petre was the one who chose Scoles to design the building.

The church was built in the Gothic Revival style. This style brings back the look of medieval Gothic buildings. The builders were Messrs Curtis of Stratford. An altar inside the church, called the Lady altar, used to be in Thorndon Hall. This was Lord Petre's home. The beautiful east window in the church was made in Newcastle upon Tyne by Thomas Dunn. Its design was inspired by Augustus Pugin, a famous architect.

Changes Over Time

In 1973, the church was changed and made bigger. A new altar was blessed by Patrick Casey, who was the Bishop of Brentwood. In 1982, the church's name was changed. It went from "Immaculate Conception" to "Our Lady Immaculate."

In 1985, the current organ was put into the church. It came from a different church in Felsted. In 1988, a large crucifix was placed above the altar. This crucifix, which hangs in front of the main seating area (called the nave), was designed by William Gordon.

Church Community and Services

This church is part of a "parish," which is a local area served by a church. From 2008 to 2022, priests from the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (also known as Norbertines) served this church. They also looked after another church in Chelmsford called Holy Name Church.

Holy Name Church was built in 1965. It is located in the Moulsham Lodge area of Chelmsford. Holy Name Church has two Sunday Masses (church services): one on Saturday evening at 6:00pm and another on Sunday morning at 10:30am.

Our Lady Immaculate Church has three Sunday Masses: at 9:00am, 12:00pm, and 7:00pm.