Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead |
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| The Parish Church of Our Lady Of Lourdes, Wanstead | |
Our Lady of Lourdes Church viewed from the front
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| Location | 51 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, London E11 2PR |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1919 (parish); 1928 (church building) |
| Dedication | Our Lady of Lourdes |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Wanstead |
| Deanery | Redbridge |
| Diocese | Brentwood |
Our Lady of Lourdes church is a Catholic church located in Wanstead, London. It serves the Catholic community in Wanstead and parts of Leytonstone. This church is part of the Diocese of Brentwood.
Contents
History of Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Early Beginnings and Parish Founding
The story of Our Lady of Lourdes church began in 1910. A small place for Catholic worship, called a mass centre, was opened in Wanstead. It was started by the parish priest from Walthamstow. In 1918, this centre moved to the hall of the new St. Joseph's convent school.
Wanstead officially became its own separate parish in 1919. This meant it had its own priest and church community. The main church building that stands today opened its doors in 1928. It was fully completed between 1934 and 1939.
Past Parish Priests
The first parish priest for Our Lady of Lourdes was Canon Basil Booker. He was appointed on August 4, 1919. The second priest, Canon James Hemming, took over in 1952. In 1970, Mgr Christopher Creede became the new parish priest.
Mgr Creede served the church for 30 years. He retired on February 11, 2000, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. After him, Fr Patrick Sammon became the fourth parish priest.
New Developments and Recent Events
One of the first big projects Fr Sammon started was building the Pastoral Centre. This new building is right next to the church. It has five meeting rooms and a large hall. These spaces are used for many different church events and activities.
On February 11, 2022, Bishop Alan Williams visited the church. He blessed two new statues. These statues are of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette. They are placed in a special grotto area next to the church.
Canon Sammon served as parish priest for over 22 years. He passed away on September 16, 2022.
Architecture and Design
Church Style and Interior Features
Our Lady of Lourdes church was built in the Neo-Gothic style. This means it looks like older Gothic churches but was built more recently. The outside of the church is made of red brick with cream-colored stone edges.
Inside, the church has a main area called a nave. It also has two aisles on each side. At the back, above the entrance, there is a balcony for the choir. A new organ has been built on this balcony. The inside walls are mostly white, except for the stone parts. Behind the main altar, there is a detailed stone altarpiece in the Gothic style.
Stained Glass and Artworks
The church has two beautiful stained glass windows. They are located in a side chapel on the left aisle. These windows were added during a big project to restore and rearrange the church. As part of this project, the tabernacle (where the Eucharist is kept) was moved. A new stone altar was also installed.
A large crucifix hangs above the new altar in the church. In 2019, new hand-painted Stations of the Cross were created. These artworks show different moments from Jesus's final journey. They are now displayed around the church.
Images for kids
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Exterior seen from Cambridge Park
