Building the Church

Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Bicester, Oxfordshire.

c. 1962 - Building the New Church.

As work on the John Paul II Centre progresses it is perhaps an opportune moment to revisit another building site not too far removed of almost half a century ago.

The photograph shows the present Church of the Immaculate Conception at a very early stage in its construction.The picture was taken from The Causeway looking towards what would be the front of the church. Set back from the footpath are the gates of the former Bonner's Stables (the gate on the right appears to have seen better days) and adjacent to the left-hand gate is a stack of bricks intended for the church building. Just beyond the parked car are what would become the main doors to the church while in the background, amidst a forest of scaffolding is the supporting framework for one of the main arches of the nave.

Announcement in the Bicester Advertiser of the building of the new Catholic church – 6^th January 1961.

Start expected in February.
BICESTER’S NEW R.C. CHURCH.

The construction of Bicester’s new Roman Catholic Church is expected to begin in early February. The church is to be built in two phases; the first, which will accommodate 350 people and take a year to complete, is estimated at a cost of £25,000.
The site for the new church will be opposite the Parish Church at the rear of Henley House. The church has been designed by the architects, Arthur Fairbrother and Partners, so that it may be extended at a later date. An interesting feature of the first erection will be the sliding and folding screen, which when open, will allow the combination of two sacristies providing a large room for meetings or for use as a weekday chapel.

Local Harmony
An essential feature of the design is harmony with the local characteristics. A brick has been chosen that will blend perfectly with the nearby buildings many of which are built in Cotswold stone. The construction of the second phase is not envisaged in the near future, but when built it will consist of the sanctuary proper, surmounted by a tower, and additional seating accommodation which will be provided by the extension of the transepts. It is expected that a stone sculpture will surmount the front entrance door.

Bicester Builder
Heating will be provided by an under-floor electric system, operation during “off peak” periods, which is considered to be very suitable for this type of country church. The builders of the new church will be Norman Collison and Son of Bicester. The present Catholic Church in Chapel Street, which seats a congregation of 200, is proving too small for Bicester’s growing Catholic community. In 1906 eight Benedictine nuns on to the old monastic buildings, known as the Old Priory. Later, in 1908, part of the nun’s chapel was opened for public use, but it was not until 1920 that the whole chapel was thrown open to the public. This is being used as the Catholic Church at the present time.