The text of the history section is from the Parish History, written by Des Keohane. The printed version is avaliable from the Church for £3.50, and may be requested by post, at extra cost for postage. Any amendments or additions are welcomed - please send by email to Fr Andrew

It is not possible to recount all the many activities of the Parish over sixty years. A selection of events, some joyful, some tinged with sadness, as recorded in the Parish Archives now follows. If the reader has his or her own memories which are not included please let us have them. Appendix 5 is included for such memories.

On March 12 1958 a reunion took place of four former curates,who had served St. Gregory’s under Father Phillips. They were Father John Maunsell, Father Ken Chapman, Father Donald Jenkinson and Father Patrick Connolly. Also attending was Father David Woodard from the Cathedral, who once helped out at St. Gregory’s for a short time. Father Paul Casapieri was the curate at the time of the reunion.

On 18 March 1962 the BBC Home Service broadcast an Evening Service from St. Gregory’s of Compline, Sermon by Bishop Leo Parker and Solemn Benediction. The original recording on a disc (cracked) exists but by the kind offices of Deacon Michael Fleming it has been transposed to CD format. Both the original disk and the CD are held in the Parish Archives. Copies of the CD are available for purchase. (£2 in aid of Organ Fund.)

On 27 March 1962 Father Phillips celebrated the Silver Anniversary of his Ordination.

About this time Father Phillips met with Sister Lucia (Lucy), one of the children who had seen the vision of Our Lady at Fatima. He entrusted the well-being of our Parish to her. In February 2008 Pope Benedict authorised the opening of the Beatification process for Lucia.

In 1972 it was the Parish itself which celebrated its Silver Jubilee. The actual celebration was held on October 5. Mass was concelebrated by three bishops: Bishop Charles Grant, the eighth Bishop of Northampton, Bishop Leo Parker (retired) and Bishop Rudderham of Clifton. Bishop Rudderham, previously Parish Priest at the Cathedral, and Bishop Parker had, as we have seen, played their parts in the establishment of St. Gregory’s and Bishop Grant had been a fellow priest with Father Phillips in Cambridge. Canon Diamond, the Vicar General, also concelebrated with 30 other priests. It was an unique occasion too in that three lay people shared 25 years service to the Parish—Hilda Callinan as Housekeeper, Leo Boullemier as MC and Tony Haynes as Organist and Choirmaster.

A celebration followed in St. Mary’s School attended by more than 300 parishioners. Older parishioners will recall the “star turn” of the evening when a certain sailor entertained the audience with popular songs.

Look carefully at the photograph— he was no other than the curate at St. Gregory’s Father Peter Wijnekus! Father Peter had served once in the Netherlands Navy and put on his old uniform for the occasion.

Father Peter was later Parish Priest of Woodbridge in Suffolk.

A notable celebration occurred in 1974.

In that year Father Phillips was made an honorary Canon of the Chapter. On the left he is being presented with a breviary on behalf of the Parish by parishioner Tom Vickery.

The first ordination to take place at St. Gregory’s was performed in 1974 when Michael Bingham SJ was ordained by Bishop Grant. Michael came to the parish as a five year old and made his First Communion in the temporary Church in the hut. His parents were long serving parishioners.

St. Gregory’s has a long tradition of social events for elderly parishioners.

In the photograph, a group board the coach to go on a visit to
Blenheim Palace.
The year was 1975.

Currently, once a month, on the last Friday there is a Mass at 2.15 followed by a tea party, to which are invited those who find it difficult or impossible to get to Mass on Sundays. Transport and refreshments are arranged by the Legion of Mary and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

In 1977 Bishop Grant granted Canon Phillips’s request to retire, having served as Parish Priest for 30 years. In the photograph, his curate and successor as Parish Priest, Father James Marks, presents him with a cheque, a retirement gift from the parishioners. Also in the photo is Sidney Mann ,who worked so hard in the formation of the parish. The presentation was made at a parish party in St Mary’s School. Canon Phillips became a monk at Downside (see Appendix 1)