Record

Repository	Archives of the Archbishop of Westminster
Ref No	AAW/DOW/PAR/72
Title	Hampton-on-Thames, St Theodore of Canterbury
Level	Series
Description	The first place of worship for Catholics in Hampton was provided by Michael Farmer who moved into St. Winifred's in Belgrade Road in 1888. In 1897 he built a house close to his workshops in Avenue Road and included in it a room which could be used as a chapel. His son, Edmund, was ordained priest in 1894 and was given permission by Cardinal Vaughan to say Mass in the room at St. Winifred's on condition that anyone could attend. In 1923 the Diocese bought Walnut Tree Cottage in Station Road and Fr Harold Burton was the first priest to live at the house. He set up a chapel there to say a daily Mass while the Sunday Mass continued as usual in Avenue Road. The ground at the side of the cottage was cleared in 1927 and a new, temporary building was bought for £50. After some modifications it was re-erected on concrete foundations at the Station Road site. This 'temporary' building remained in use as the parish church for nearly sixty years! Westminster chose the dedication of St. Theodore of Canterbury and in November 1986 the new permanent church was finally finished. The official opening and consecration of the church took place on Sunday 22nd March 1987 when the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Basil Hume, celebrated the ceremonial Mass.

Hours of Marie de Rieux, The

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