Old Photographs
Now for a walk down memory lane. Here you will find photographs relating to the convent and St. Mary's RC church. Larger versions of the photos are available by clicking on them. Some photographs are large, please be patient while they load. Your contributions are very welcome. Do you recognise anyone, or have any photos you would like to share? If so please contact us.
 Stained glass windows in St Mary's. Read more... |
 1960's. Celebrating Corpus Christi in the garden behind Somerset House. |
 1982. Fr Tranter celebrates his first mass as priest at St. Mary's. |
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 1970s. First Communicants with Fr O'Connor and Sr Imelda, outside St Marys church. |
 1978. Sr Imelda with girls ready for the Corpus Christi procession. |
 July 1939. Laying of the foundation stone of the new St Marys, by Bishop of Clifton Rt. Rev. William Lee. |
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 Early 1960's. Visit of Archbishop Heenan. Present: Canon Fitzpatrick (parish priest 38-44), Abbot of Downside, Monsignor Long, Archbishop Heenan, Bishop Rudderham, Canon Hackett, Fr. James O'Brien (parish priest). |
 This "Madonna and Child" statue, carved by Eric Gill, stood in the niche of the old church. After the church was demolished, it was transferred to the convent garden. |
 This is a photo of the interior of the old church. On the left the first statue Our Lady can be seen. Larger image of which can be seen below. |
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 This painting of Abbot Richard Whiting, by parishioner Tony Wheeler, used to hang beside the chapel in the convent and is now to be found in St Marys church. |
 This statue was in both churches until 1955, when the current statue of Our Lady was made. Then it was in the convent chapel. It is now in the convent at Richmond, Surrey. |
 1960's. Corpus Christi. Starting the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, including Fr. McNamara and Sr. Ignatius. |
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 1965. Crowning of the present statue of Our Lady of Glastonbury, with the golden diadem, in place of her wooden one. Parishioners donated their jewellery to be melted down to make this diadem. |
 1960's. Annual Church Bazaar. |
 1982. Paper cutting. Parishioners present gifts to Fr. John O'Connor, on his leaving after 15 years as parish priest. |
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 17 June 1965. Parishioners enjoying a parish dinner, in the convent hall. |
 17 June 1965. Parishioners enjoying a parish dinner, in the convent hall. |
 17 June 1965. Parishioners enjoying a parish dinner, in the convent hall. |
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 Mid 60's. Confirmation group outside St Marys, with Bishop Rudderham and Fr. McNamara. |
 1930's. This sketch, by Tony Wheeler, shows the first St Mary's Roman Catholic Church. It was a converted stable, attached to the convent. In the gable-end niche stands a statue by Eric Gill. |
 c1926. Clearly not the church depicted in the sketch to the left. Can anyone help identify this building? |