Most Holy Redeemer

Catholic Church

Most Holy Redeemer celebrated their centenary year in 2010 with several events marking the celebrations. Bishop Thomas McMahon a newly ordained priest approximately fifty years ago would celebrate Holy Mass at Most Holy Redeemer. About sixty years ago, Canon Roche who was the parish priest then, initiated the 11.00 o’clock Mass enabling nurses to attend Holy Mass as they worked at St. Andrews Hospital and lived in Frizzel House in the High Street.  After he celebrated Mass in Billericay, he would cycle to Laindon to celebrate Mass there. 

The monks of Lindisfarne brought the Mass and the Sacraments to the district and a band of Irish workmen constructing the railway line erected a hut for their accommodation which was also used as a centre for Mass for the Catholics. The former Council Offices No. 108 High Street was used when the workers left. The Temperance Hotel was sometimes used and Dr. Waldron also gave one of his rooms in Norsey View for this purpose too. Stockwell Hall also known as the Clock House was another place used for the Mass whilst Miss Raphael was in residence. Later, St. Edith’s, no. 129 High Street was turned into a chapel by the Ursuline nuns and was demolished in 1961.

After the nuns left, Mr. William Dunn of Lilystone Hall contributed half the cost towards the Most Holy Redeemer. He lent the rest of the money free of interest.  The land on which the Church was built was believed to be the town cricket field originally and was a gift from Mr. Edmund Cole. His sister Agnes Cole was a consistent benefactor. The organ given by the licensee of the Rising Sun was played by one of Mr. Dunn’s daughters. Julian Field was one of the first altar boys.  Since then, we have had many altar boys and now girls too. Herbert, my husband played the guitar Mark and Lloyd my sons played the church organ in the 11 o’clock choir totalling approximately twenty five years with myself later joining the choir too.  Ruth Abelard played the organ too. We had a fine group of musicians and singers. Bill Smith played the vital role for the music at this Mass. The parish is a thriving one with many contributing towards it over the years. 

 

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  • Father Pye was my parish priest when growing up and attending St Peter’s. I remember his stories of Arabella Claptrap to this day as lively and entertaining.
    I remember seeing his gravestone in a picture and as I recall it had SAS wings.
    Not sure if he was SOE, LRDP or SAS.
    Either way impressive.

    By Steve Clancy (29/06/2020)
  • When Father Roche first came to Billericay, he had a knife thrown at him from a side alley on the High Street. The town had a strong legacy of Protestantism from Mary Tudor and, of course, the Mayflower.

    Father Pye who followed Father Roche was an interesting priest who had been in the SOE although he declined to talk about it.

    By John (05/05/2017)
  • I am trying to find out more details about the marriage of my grandparents, George Edmund Clarke and Dolly Kathleen Mary Clark. I believe they probably married on 19th January 1929 in Billericay. My grandmother was a Catholic so I am assuming that they married in your church, which I think was founded in 1910.

    I believe they were both 20 when they married.

    Could you let me know where and how I can look at the church registers? I live in North Essex and can travel to wherever they are kept. 

    Many thanks.

    By Celia Crossley (nee Clarke) (10/12/2014)

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