PARISH CENTENARY 1926 – 2026
English Martyrs Parish Centenary Prayer
God our Father, we thank you for your abundant blessings on our Christian community
in the past 100 years.
We pray that you strengthen the faith of all of us at English Martyrs in this centenary year.
May we come to know you more clearly and love you more dearly.
In imitation of the English Martyrs who shed their blood for love of Christ,
may we be living examples of faith in times of trial and pain.
O Mary, Queen of Martyrs, we place ourselves under your protective care.
Through your intercession, guide us to align ourselves with the father’s will,
so that we may shine as beacons of hope in our world.
Amen
OUR HISTORY IN BRIEF (1921 – 1945)
The church of the English Martyrs began life as a wooden hut that was formally opened in November 1921 and was served by clergy from St. James’ in the Town centre. This building was only able to comfortably accommodate approximately 80 people and with the number of catholics in the West Reading area clearly increasing year on year, it was obvious that a much larger building was required.
Step forward Reginald Cecil Powys-Libbe.
Although he was a resident of Streatley and had only been received into the Church (St. James’) in June 1914, he played a key part in getting the building project under way by generously donating £10,000 towards the cost of what was to be the current Church building. Work began with the laying of the foundation stone on October 18th 1925, and was completed the following year at an overall cost of £12,000. The new building could now accommodate 400+ and was officially opened on 14th September 1926. In view of his generous gift, a memorial plaque was erected to Mr Powys-Libbe and is located on the sacristy side of the altar.
The Church is 122ft long and 45ft wide and has a 65ft campanile in the north-west corner. The main entrance is at the west end under a large recess and on the edges of this are two roundels depicting Blessed Hugh Faringdon and St. Thomas More. In the recess above the entrance door is a mosaic panel bearing the arms of the two martyrs and their emblems of martyrdom.
The first High Mass that was celebrated was attended by 40 members of the clergy and was led by the then Bishop of Portsmouth the Rt. Revd William Cotter. The clergy at St.James’ continued to be responsible for English Martyrs until 1935, when the first Parish Priest, Canon Francis Kernan, was appointed. He continued until his death in May 1947.
During WW2, the church played a significant role in the war effort with allotments on land at the side of the church being used as part of the “dig for victory” campaign and the tower being utilised for fire watching duties. Sadly, many parishioners lost their lives in the conflict. A Commemorative Memorial was erected in the church and although it only shows the names of seven parishioners, it was considered suitably representative of those who gave their lives in wartime.
OUR HISTORY IN BRIEF (1946 – )
Following Canon Kernan’s death in 1947, he was succeeded for a short period by Canon Bernard Morris. He subsequently wrote to the Bishop saying that a younger man should be parish priest and so he was succeeded by Fr. James Walsh. He kept thigs “ticking over” for the next 4 years until in 1952, he was succeeded by Fr. William Kirk. whose initiative and drive did so much for the parish. At this time, housing development was bringinh many changes to the West Reading and Tilehurst area and consequently, to the needs of the parish. The parish needed to expand and so needed to raise some funds. A football pools was started up in conjunction with St. Anne’s in Caversham and St. John Bosco in Woodley and this proved very succesful, which was fairly remarkable given that shortages were still prevalent as were modest incomes.
In 1957, Fr. O’Donnell succeeded Fr. Kirk and under his guidance, the parish continued to grow and the community centre, presbytery and schools came to fruition during his 16 year stay with us; plus of course the establishment of St. Joseph’s as an independant parish. In the 1960’s, two new housing estates were built close to English Marty’s primary school one of which gained the nickname “Pope’s Acre” due to the number of Catholics living there. Later the Dee Road estate was built on the allotments that Tilehurst parishioners walked through on their way to Mass. In view of the increase in parishioner numbers the number of Masses increased to five on a Sunday thee being at 8am, 9.30am, 11am (sung) 4pm and 7.15pm. Baptisms were held on the last Suday of each month and Sunday afternoon catechism sessions were provided for children attending non catholic schools.
For a more detailed history of the people and clergy who helped to make English Martyr’s what it is today, the following are highly recommended; ‘A Red Brick Church in a Red Brick Town’; A Red Brick Church in a time of change’; and ‘Gathered round the Altar (The people of the Red Brick Church)’. Unfortunately, none of the above are available on line.