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

In the days before Vatican 2 when the priest faced the altar at Mass, the altar bore six large silver plated candlesticks. These were the gift of Father Phillips’s mother. Now that the priest says Mass facing the people there is no opportunity for their use as before. Mrs Harris, mother of Father John Harris, in the early years of St. Gregory’s gave the two silver plated candlesticks currently used on the altar. They were made by Knight’s of Wellingborough. In 1983 her son John became our Parish Priest.

 

On the south wall near to the door to the parish centre is an icon. It depicts St. Gregory on the Papal Throne, with to his right a portrayal of his meeting the English slaves in the market place, and to his left, of Augustine and his monks crossing the English Channel. This icon commemorates the Consecration of the church in 2004. It is the work of Sister Esther from the Benedictine Abbey at Turvey. Further along this wall, above the confessionals, is a fine copy of Rubens’s “Descent from the Cross” by George Markie and donated in his memory in 2001. At the west end of the church, above the door to the Parish Office, is a painting of The Nativity by well-known local artist Chris Fiddes. It is typical of the early work of the artist, with a symbolic contrast of the dark stable and the illuminated Christ Child. It was originally given to St. Mary’s School in Grange Road, where for several years he taught Art, and it came to St. Gregory’s after the closure of the school. On the wall in the Northwest corner is a picture depicting Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, to whom the novenas had been said to expedite the building of the church. Lastly, on a pillar in the north aisle is another icon, the work of our late Deacon, Reverend Robin Cooper.