Tolworth
Church
closes its
50th
Anniversary
Year

Bishop Paul joins the parish in thanksgiving

Parishioners start to arrive for the Mass
 

The parish at Tolworth was estabished in 1934 - 1935.

The present church building was completed in 1958 and consecrated on 31st May 1963. A new altar was dedicated on 6th September 2006 by Archbishop Kevin.

The first Mass in the new church was celebrated on 25th March 1958, the Feast of the Annunciation: Father Edmund Redding was celebrant and was assisted by his brother Father RP Redding as deacon and Father Joseph Sullivan as subdeacon. Andrew MacKinley, now MP for Thurrock, served this Mass.

Father Edmund Redding was the first parish priest (1934 - 1979). He was followed by Father John Kirby (1979 - 1989), Father Anthony Ford (1989 - 2000) and Father Anthony Charlton (since 2000).

The Golden Jubilee of the church's opening was celebrated on 8th December 2007, initiating a year of special events and activities.

In his homily Bishop Paul reminded the people that it was not just a building that was being remembered, but all the people who had come to worship in the church during the past fifty years.

To mark the occasion a commemorative card and candle were given to each parishioner after Mass. Also, 'A History of the Parish and Church of Our Lady Immaculate Tolworth'  has been published.

Mass was followed by a reception in the School Hall where a commemorative cake was cut by Bishop Paul.