A Year of Anniversaries

and

A Week of Celebrations

Full Timetable of Events

2013 is an important year in the life of this parish.  It marks

• 60 years since the opening of Holy Family as a Catholic Church,
• 40 Years since the building of St Wulstan and St Thomas of Canterbury Church in Vale Road, Stourport, and
• 35 Years since the opening of our Primary School in Elmfield Walk, Stourport.

To celebrate these anniversaries we are having a week of celebrations in the parish which aims to have something for everyone.  Three major public events will be supported by smaller events, aimed more at parishioners.  The major events are

• An exhibition of Church history at Holy Family,
• A flower festival at St Wulstan's Church and
• The annual parish fete held at the Community Centre next to St Wulstan's Church.

Holy Family Church

60th Anniversary of the opening as a Catholic Church, 8th September 1953

 Holy Family Church is a Grade II* listed building.
Originally built about 1778 to replace the timber-framed Presbyterian Meeting House,
the building fell into disuse after 1894 when the meeting house closed. 
In 1930 it was used as a store by a local builder.

The building was purchased by the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham in 1951 with the aid of a local Catholic, Wing Commander Alfred Howell, and restoration began.  The chapel was re-opened and dedicated to the Holy Family on 8th September 1953.

The Church is currently served from Stourport.

Download: a more detailed history with illustrations

St Wulstan & St Thomas of Canterbury

40th Anniversary of the building of St Wulstan’s

Stourport was formally established as a Catholic parish in 1948.  Before that the congregation was served from Kidderminster.  In 1935 the first chapel dedicated to Saints Wulstan and Thomas of Canterbury was built in Lodge Road.  By the late 1950’s the Lodge Road church was too small for the Sunday congregations.  In 1959 the parish acquired a building in Vale Road which was used for Sunday Masses and social activities, Lodge Road still being used for weekday Masses.  In March 1973 work began on a new church on the Vale Road site.  On 22nd December that year the church was opened and blessed by His Grace George Patrick Dwyer, Archbishop of Birmingham. 

St Wulstan’s Primary School

35th Anniversary of the opening of the school

 The School was opened in 1978 with 58 pupils and 3 teachers and consecrated by Bishop  McCartie. It has flourished over the past 35 years, now with over 210 pupils.

Major Events

Exhibition of Church History

7th - 15th September

The Holy Family Church will be open all week for anyone to drop in and view the exhibition, which will include old photographs and artifacts, a documented history of the building and it's use and the story of some of the characters who have been parishioners.  Visitors will be able to view the recently built new extension to the building which is very much in keeping with the style of this listed building.

Flower Festival

7th - 15th September

The Flower Festival will be held at St Wulstan's Church and is an opportunity for all the local community to take part in our week of celebrations.  The other local Churches have been invited to enter exhibits, as well as local floral art groups and individuals.  The Church will be open all week for the public to come in, view the exhibition and perhaps quietly praise God for the local community and the beauty of the exhibition.

Download: Arrangement list

See Photos

Parish Fete

12.30 pm Sunday 15th September

Everyone is welcome at this event, however tickets are essential as they include a BBQ lunch in the price.  Adults £5.00, Children £2.00 or a family ticket £12.00 (2 adults max).  Tickets can be purchased from the Church, after Sunday Masses, or from the parish office / Presbetery (call 01299 822633).  Some tickets will be available on the day at the gate.  There will be a licensed bar, all the usual stalls and family entertainment plus a raffle with £200 first prize, and other smaller prizes.  Proceeds raised from this event will be split between the Sunny Trust and the Holy Family Building Fund.

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Full Timetable of Events during the week of Celebrations

A short history of the Parish,
by Fred Raybould (with additions by Columb Howell)