The ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone of Our Lady & St Alphege’s new Parish Hall took place on Friday 20 March 2009 in brilliant sunshine.

The building of the new hall is a consequence of the decision to site the new St John’s Catholic Primary School next to St Alphege’s church. The existing hall will be demolished to make way for an all-weather playing pitch for the school. The hall will be linked to the church by a ‘cloister,’ and has been designed by architects Benjamin & Beauchamp to blend with Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s building, using sympathetic materials. The year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the existing hall and the eightieth anniversary of the Solemn Blessing of the church.

Father Richard said, “In our liturgy today we recognise that our parish centre stands as a special image of the Church itself – the people gathering in common purpose as a visible sign of the living Church: God’s temple built from living stones. We are especially glad to welcome back Canon Michael English, who will lead our celebration, and Canon Bill Roche, both former parish priests. We also welcome Father Tom Gunning. ”

The liturgy started with Mass in the church, after which priests and people processed to the site of the new hall. A blessing was asked for on all who had made the construction of the hall possible and all those who will work to create the new parish centre.

The ceremony continued with readings, hymns and prayers. Father Michael and the other priests processed around the site, blessing it by the sprinkling of holy water.

The foundation stone was blessed by Father Michael, anointed with the oil, sprinkled with holy water and blessed with incense. The stone was then lifted into position by architect Patrick Benjamin and the I.S.G. Pearce Project Leader, Aaron Whiston.

A Time Capsule was brought forward to be sealed into the building, containing documents, photographs, and other items pertaining to the church, its history and its people.

After the ceremony the assembly gathered in the existing Parish hall for refreshments

For drawings of the new parish hall and school Click Here