A CHURCH in Harvington will celebrate its 200th anniversary this Sunday, June 1, with a special visitor and mass.
The Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, will celebrate mass and consecrate the new graveyard as part of the bicentennial commemorations at St Mary’s Catholic Church.
Fr John Moran and Fr Richard Sharples will also be part of the service.
This is a very special event for the church which was built in 1825, four years before Catholic emancipation.
Picture by Mike Jones. s
The church also has close connections with Harvington Hall.
The mass on this day will be at 11am and the congregation are invited to have a picnic in the priest’s garden during the afternoon.
As the church has limited space, the service will be broadcast through loud speakers into the garden of the Priest’s House, so parishioners sitting there will be able to hear and take part in the service.
Following Mass, His Grace will bless a commemorative plaque inside church and consecrate the ‘new’ graveyard field.
How the church would have looked in 1910. s
He will also plant a mulberry tree symbolising resilience and faith – qualities which have defined St Mary’s journey through history.
Then, there will be the chance for picnics and traditional games similar to those enjoyed 200 years ago when the church first opened.
Special booklet
Picture by Mike Jones. s
A full colour, illustrated booklet commemorating the history of the parish, including the order of the Bicentennial Mass will be available on the day.
Donations to help cover its cost would be welcomed.
People are urged to take along chairs for the picnic and the garden.
The church now. Picture by Mike Jones. s
Everyone is hoping for some fine weather for what promises to be a unique and historical parish event.
