Birmingham: Bicentennial celebration at St Mary's Catholic Church, Harvington

Archbishop Bernard Longley

Source: RCDAOB

Archbishop Bernard Longley led bicentenary celebrations yesterday, Sunday 1 June, at St Mary's Catholic Church in Harvington, one of the oldest churches in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

This tranquil church was built in 1825 by the benefactor Sir George Throckmorton, four years before Catholic Emancipation. Prior to this, Mass was held within the chapels of neighbouring Harvington Hall, at great risk to the Catholic Priest celebrants throughout the Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries.

However, by the early 19th century with the great increase of Kidderminster's population, those chapels proved too small and the 'grand aim' of John Marsden, priest at Harvington from 1816 to 1824, was for the erection of a new chapel.

The celebrations began with a solemn High Mass, during which Archbishop Bernard paid tribute to the generations of worshippers who have gathered within St Mary's walls for 200 years. He spoke of the church's role as a spiritual home, recalling how it once served as the mother church for the wider area, embracing communities far beyond Harvington.

Following the Mass, Archbishop Bernard planted a mulberry tree in the church grounds. The mulberry tree symbolises resilience and faith - qualities that have defined St Mary's journey through history, from its early days of serving a scattered Catholic population to its consecration in 1985 under Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville.

The Archbishop blessed a newly installed plaque, recognising the milestone and the unwavering faith of the parish. The plaque joins other significant markers within the church, including memorials honouring English Martyrs such as St John Wall and St Nicholas Owen, and the beautiful stained-glass windows, which depict Catholic heritage in England.

The day continued with a picnic and garden party, echoing the spirit of the centenary celebrations of 1925. Parishioners gathered to share stories, enjoy music, and reflect on the church's remarkable history, which has included careful restorations, the addition of sculptures by parish artist Gabrielle Mercer, and the resilience of the congregation through challenging periods - including the COVID-19 pandemic, when Mass was held outdoors in the gardens.

As St Mary's enters its third century, the bicentennial celebrations served as both a reflection on the past and a hopeful embrace of the future. The church stands as a testament to faith, community, and the steadfast spirit of generations who have found solace and strength within its walls.

To see a Photogallery and Video of the Mass with Archbishop Bernard Longley visit: www.birminghamdiocese.org.uk/news/bicentennial-celebration-at-st-marys-catholic-church-harvington