THE P
RTAL
The Church on the Green
Joanna Bogle visits Torbay
January 2017 Page 4
Auntie
Joanna
And so to Devon , and a warm welcome at the church of
Our Lady of Walsingham and St Cuthbert Mayne , which stands on a small rise in Chelston , Torquay . It ’ s an attractive setting : the church is a rather pretty one , built by Wesleyan Methodists in the early 20th century , and is surrounded by a green , with the sea and the busy town centre not far away . Alongside the church is a ( less pretty , but useful ) parish hall where I enjoyed a delicious and talkative lunch . It was a very agreeable way to spend a winter Sunday , and all in a most glorious part of Devon .
writes
The Torquay Ordinariate has been one of the most enterprising in Britain . Taking the mandate from Benedict XVI seriously , they rolled up their sleeves , raised the cash , and bought up an about-to-be-closed Methodist church . They have now turned it into a functioning Ordinariate church , with the former Methodist schoolroom and offices being slowly transformed into accommodation for Father David Lashbrooke and his family .
Train times meant I had to hurry from Torquay station – Sunday Mass is at 10.30am and I had come from Taunton via Newton Abbot . Fabulous views along the Exe estuary – this must be one of the most enchanting train routes in England . I got to Mass just in time . The church was not packed – lots of scope for evangelisation and mission here – but the singing was hearty and the mood among the Ordinariate members is dedicated and upbeat .
They had held a bazaar the previous day to help raise funds for work that still needs to be done – there are plans to decorate the church , although I rather like its present cosy feel and atmosphere of secure presence . One feels that these walls have echoed to sincere prayer and worship and that this new chapter is building on solid foundations .
Lots of lively chat over tea-n-biccies after Mass , and I was glad to be able to buy from the post-bazaar sales table ( excellent marmalade ). Then , after an extremely jolly lunch , an exploration of the church .
“ We ’ re doing all the work ourselves ,” explains Fr David as we make our way to the gallery . “ It all saves money , and there ’ s a great feeling of teamwork .” The church is in basic structural shape , and the group is simply doing some renovations . The Wesleyan
arrangement was for the choir to be in full view , along with the organ , facing the congregation , but that area has now become a sanctuary . There has been some necessary work on the ceiling and tower area at the back of the church .
Nothing has been destroyed , and things that were of value and importance to the Methodist community have been carefully kept and returned to them .
I was particularly intrigued by the creation of a rectory from the assorted rooms behind the main church . In what was once the gents ’ loo , a family washing machine now rumbles , while in the small former parish hall – complete with stage ! - a living area is taking shape , with armchairs , TV , stacks of books and so on .
The whole was originally designed that a door leads out on to a lane at the side of the church : this is ideal as that will become the main entrance to the parish office , with living areas beyond . It will work well , and I was even slightly envious as we went around – it ’ s a bit like those colour-magazine features about people living in former railway stations .
“ Plumbing and electricity were already in place , so it ’ s just a matter of adapting and rewiring as needed ,” Fr David explained as we went up the stairs beyond the old choir gallery . For the first years of the Torquay Ordinariate , the Lashbrooke family had to live at Dawlish Warren , a longish journey from Torquay , and having him on-site as priest at the church itself will make an enormous difference to the whole project . “ It ’ s a step-by-step thing , and it ’ s all slowly working out .”
“ But the real point is about mission ,” he emphasises . ... continued at the foot of the next page ‣