Catholic Church, Sandhurst
Sandhurst (its name means a wooded eminence on sandy soils) derives from a tiny hamlet in the Royal forest. When the land was part of the Crown Estate, settlement was held in check and the population restricted to preserve the forest for hunting and wood products. Even in the early 1800s only 36 houses are listed with a modest population of 222. With the Enclosure Acts, land was released from the more severe restrictions on development. Sandhurst, with its proximity to London, was set to grow rapidly.
Today Sandhurst is a thriving town with strong growth in population. In turn, this creates the need for the local provision of facilities. The Catholic Church of the Immaculate
Conception has provided a centre for Roman Catholic worship since 1959. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, the title Mary used of herself when she appeared to St Bernadette at Lourdes.
Founding of the Church at Sandhurst
Prior to 1959 the nearest Roman Catholic Church for the local community was at Crowthorne where the original 'tin tabernacle' (a building made from galvanised sheeting) existed from 1947. It was due to very strenuous fund-raising efforts in the local community that the Church at Sandhurst was built.
The Sandhurst Church was a chapel of ease to the Crowthome Church until 1981, when Sandhurst became an independent Church parish. It belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth under Bishop Crispian Hollis. Sandhurst's own Roman Catholic Church was erected 1959-60 and the first mass was conducted at midnight, Christmas 1959. It was officially blessed by Archbishop John Henry King in April 1960.
The building occupies a central position on a spacious site facing onto York Town Road, with accommodation for the priest behind it. From within the building you can clearly see that it is timber-framed, with a deep pitched pantiled roof above warm-coloured brick. The windows, internal arches to the sanctuary and wall niches, and door-openings are all in smooth curves, without points, of the Romanesque style. The belfry with its blue enamelled clock-face rises over the roof. Within and above the main seating area the gallery is situated, housing the organ and further seating.
Re-Ordering of the Church
In 1984 the interior of the Church was re-ordered to match the recommendations made by the Second Vatican Council. This was supervised by Father Tom Grufferty who served from 1981-4. The new altar, a lectern of white Portland stone and black slate and plinth were fitted. The original altar rails, along with the panels separating the side chapels, were removed to make the interior more spacious.
Features in the Church
The larger-than-life sized crucifix, carved from several different types of wood, hangs in the sanctuary as the focal point of worship.
The large candle is used at baptisms and funerals. The carved dove represents the Holy Spirit, and the Lamb of God; the wheat and grapes are the read and wine used for Mass, and the incense grains are symbolic of the five wounds of Jesus. The smaller candles, lit by parishioners, represent 'Jesus, the light of the World' as well as the all-consuming nature of faith, and are used to accompany people's prayers.
In the niche to the left of the altar is a statue of St Joseph and to the right, a statue of The Virgin Mary. Further to the left is The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the small statue to the right is Our Lady of Walsingham, the patron saint of the Union of Catholic Mothers. At the back of the Church you will see a statue of St Anthony of Padua. All round the wall are small plaques representing the Stations of the Cross, from the sentence of death by Pontius Pilate, through the events leading to the Crucifixion and burial of Jesus. These are aids to the memory: a prayer is associated with each one of these.
Near the door is the carving by Owen Crawford, representing Baptism, made out of one piece of oak resembling a drop of water. It symbolises the unity and strength of the Church in depicting the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, with a crowd of onlookers. The dove with spreading wings brings peace and hope. The fish is an ancient symbol of Christianity. The staining in the wood incorporates the shoulder of Jesus, bearing the sins of the world.
The Church and The Community
Five priests have served Sandhurst Catholic Church since its separation from Crowthorne:
- Father Tom Grufferty served from 1981-4
Under whom the church was reordered. - Father David Buckley served from 1984-95.
During his service, the bell tower and the priest's house were built behind the church. The parish also purchased a house next door to the church, which is now the base for the Diocesan Tribunal office. - Father Robin Ellwood served from 1995-2001
Father Robin made plans for a new font to celebrate the church’s 40th Anniversary. This was finally installed in 2005. - Father John Nuttall served from 2001-2002
- Father Kevin Jones - the current parish priest.
Father Kevin oversaw the re-amalgamation of the Sandhurst Parish with the Crowthorne Parish on 22 September 2004. The Parish is now known as the RC Parish of Crowthorne and Sandhurst. The Holy Ghost Church in New Wokingham Road, Crowthorne is the sister church.
The church congregation forms an active part of the community life of Sandhurst, organising the annual Donkey Derby on the spring Bank Holiday as a charitable fundraising venture.
Visiting the Church
You are very welcome to visit the church, which is kept open during the day. The parish office is open every weekday morning.
The Priest's House
63-67 Yorktown Road
Sandhurst
GU47 9BS
Tel/Fax: 01252 876820,
Website: www.users.zetnet.co.uk/tempusfugit/holy-ghost
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