St Mary, Woodbridge Road facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary, Ipswich |
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| Saint Mary | |
Saint Mary's church
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| Location | Ipswich, Suffolk |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Weekly attendance | 900 |
| Website | http://www.st-mary.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Mary |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia |
St Mary's Church, often called St Mary Woodbridge Road, is a Catholic church in Ipswich, England. It has the largest group of churchgoers in Ipswich and the second largest in the county of Suffolk. The hall next to the church was once the first Catholic church in Ipswich after the English Reformation. This church is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia.
Church History
How St Mary's Started
St Mary's Church was started by a French priest named Abbé Louis Pierre Simon. He came to Ipswich to teach after escaping the dangers of the French Revolution. A Catholic woman, Miss Margaret Wood, offered him a place to stay. They became good friends.
During the time of the French Revolution, it was hard for Catholics to openly practice their faith. Père Simon, as he was also known, worked hard to bring the local Catholics together. After the wars with France ended, Père Simon decided to stay in Ipswich. He bought a house on Albion Hill, which is now called Woodbridge Road. This house is now used as a convent for nuns.
Building the First Chapel
Even though some people in the town objected, Père Simon was able to add a small chapel to the house. This chapel was named after St Anthony.
The chapel was officially blessed on August 1, 1827. Dr. Thomas Walsh, a church leader, led the blessing. Many people attended the event. Soon, the chapel was too small for everyone. So, it was made bigger by adding sections to the north and south. These new parts opened directly onto Woodbridge Road. The main part of the church, called the nave, became 76 feet long.
Dedication to Mary
On October 10, 1838, Dr. Walsh blessed the expanded chapel again. This time, it was dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Père Simon and Margaret Wood are still remembered today. Plaques in the parish hall, which was the church they founded, honor their work.
