St Ethelbert's Church
Our Lady Immaculate and St Ethelbert's Church
51°30′36″N 0°35′39″W / 51.5101°N 0.5941°W / 51.5101; -0.5941
OS grid referenceSU976799
LocationSlough
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationRoman Catholic
WebsiteSt-Ethelberts.co.uk
History
StatusActive
DedicationMary, mother of Jesus
Æthelberht of Kent
Events1885: First church
Architecture
Functional statusParish church
Heritage designationGrade II listed
Designated3 August 1984[1]
Architect(s)Benedict Williamson
StyleGothic Revival
Groundbreaking1 July 1908
Completed20 April 1910
Administration
ProvinceWestminster
DioceseNorthampton
DeanerySlough[2]
ParishOur Lady and St Ethelbert

St Ethelbert's Church or Our Lady Immaculate and St Ethelbert's Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Slough, Berkshire, England. It was built from 1908 to 1910 and designed by Benedict Williamson. It is located on the corner of Wellington Street and William Street in the centre of the town. It is in the Gothic Revival style and is a Grade II listed building.[3]

History

Foundation

In the early 1880s, an Italian priest, Fr Joseph Clemente, became the chaplain at St James' School in Baylis House. While her was there he worked on getting a permanent Catholic church in the town. With others, he raised funds and bought a disused warehouse and stable on Herschel House. In 1885, the former warehouse and stable became St Ethelbert's Church.[4]

Construction

In 1888, Fr Clemente moved permanently from the school to the church. The next year, in 1889, he bought the site of the present church for £1,050. However, raising funds for the construction of the church was more difficult. In 1908, thanks to a donation from the superior of the Bernardine Cistercians of Esquermes attached to St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School in Slough, in memory of her parents. On 1 July 1908, the foundation stone of the church was laid. The architect was the priest Fr Benedict Williamson who also designed St Ignatius Church, Stamford Hill and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Fulham. He was assisted by Fr J. Francis Drake, the chaplain at the convent. The builders were Messrs. Godson & Sons. On 19 April 1910, the church was consecrated and opened the next day on 20 April 1910.[4]

Developments

In 1912, the statue of Christ the Redeemer was bought for the church. It is situated by the side entrance facing the street. It was blessed by Pope Pius X and originally designed to stand at Westminster Cathedral. In 1980, the rood screen was moved to behind the altar, the baptismal font was moved in front of the sanctuary and the ambo replaced the pulpit. The work was done by the architect Anthony New who worked for Seely & Paget.[4]

Parish

The church is its own parish and has three Sunday Masses at 9:00am, 11:00am and 6:30pm.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Church of Our Lady Immaculate and St Ethelbert from British Listed Buildings, retrieved 15 May 2022
  2. 1 2 Churches from Diocese of Northampton, retrieved 15 May 2022
  3. ↑ Church of Our Lady Immaculate and St Ethelbert, Historic England, retrieved 15 May 2022
  4. 1 2 3 Historic England, Slough - Our Lady Immaculate and St Ethelbert, Taking Stock, retrieved 15 May 2022
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