St Osburg's Church, Coventry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Osburg's Church |
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| Most Holy Sacrament and St Osburg Church | |
View of the back of the church
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| 52°24′39″N 1°31′10″W / 52.4109°N 1.5195°W | |
| OS grid reference | SP3277879317 |
| Location | Coventry |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | SsMaryandBenedict.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founder(s) | Bishop William Ullathorne OSB |
| Dedication | Osburh of Coventry |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 24 June 1974 |
| Architect(s) | Charles Hansom |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1843 |
| Completed | 9 September 1845 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Coventry |
| Diocese | Birmingham |
| Province | Birmingham |
St Osburg's Church, also known as the Church of the Most Holy Sacrament and St Osburg, is a Roman Catholic church in Coventry, West Midlands. It is a special kind of church called a Parish church, which means it serves a local community. The church was built between 1843 and 1845. It was designed by an architect named Charles Hansom.
You can find St Osburg's Church in the city centre of Coventry. It sits right where Holyhead Road meets the Coventry Ring Road. The church was started by a group of monks called the Benedictines from Downside Abbey. It is also a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building that is protected.
Contents
Building the Church: How it Began
In 1841, a monk named William Ullathorne came to Coventry. He was from Downside Abbey and had been working in Australia. When he arrived, there was only a small chapel on the spot where the church now stands.
Ullathorne wanted to build a bigger church. He asked Charles Hansom to design it. Building work started in 1843 and was finished just two years later. On September 9, 1845, the church was officially opened and blessed. This special ceremony was led by Nicholas Wiseman.
World War II: A Time of Damage and Repair
During World War II, on November 14, 1940, parts of Coventry were bombed. St Osburg's Church was badly damaged. Its roof, the front part of the church (called the chancel), and many of its walls were destroyed. All the windows and furniture inside were also ruined.
For a few years, the church was mostly in ruins. By 1944, the damaged chancel was separated from the main part of the church (the nave). This allowed church services to start again, even though the building was not fully repaired.
Bringing Back the Beauty: Restoring the Church
In the 1950s, the church was fully restored. All the beautiful stained glass windows were replaced. These new windows were made by a company called Earley and Company. When all the repairs were finished, Cardinal Bernard Griffin officially re-opened the church.
The Church Today: Serving the Community
For many years, the Benedictine monks from Downside Abbey looked after St Osburg's Church. But in 1992, the church became part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
In 2008, a group of priests called the Apostles of Jesus were invited to serve St Osburg's. They also help with other churches nearby. These include St Elizabeth's Church and Saints Mary and Benedict's Church in Coventry.
Other Churches in the Area
- Saints Mary and Benedict's Church: This church was also started by the English Benedictine Congregation. Its first stone was laid in 1893, and it opened later that same year.
- St Elizabeth's Church: This church was designed by Harrison & Cox. It first opened in 1912 and was re-blessed in 1962.
When to Visit: Mass Times
St Osburg's Church holds two Sunday Masses: one on Saturday at 5:30 PM and another on Sunday at 11:30 AM.
- Saints Mary and Benedict's Church has Sunday Masses at 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM.
- St Elizabeth's Church has Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM.
Images for kids
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St Mary and St Benedict Church, Coventry
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St Elizabeth's Church, Coventry
See also
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham
