Holy Family
The Holy Family church is dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary and Joseph. In 1893 Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) instituted a special holy day in honour of the Holy Family, and Pope Benedict XV (1914-1903) extended it to the Universal Church in 1921. The Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated on the Sunday in the Octave of Christmas.
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The Assembly Hall at St Boniface College was used from 1939 until 1955 when the present Church of the Holy Family was built. It was an unpretentious building, set in its own low walled garden, amidst attractive trees. There is a large blue cross inset above the entrance. The interior consists of a single, simple space. At the south end the portals curve round to form an apse behind the canopied altar. A humble crucifix hangs above the tabernacle. The Lady Chapel continues the theme of simplicity with a solitary white statue of our Lady holding a rosary. The Stations of the Cross are modern, carved in details, the faces portraying the tremendous experience of the journey to Golgotha. The Baptistry, behind wrought iron railings at the back of the Church has an interesting, modern, octagonal font, embellished with appropriate motifs in tile mosaic. Outside the Baptistry there is a plaque to commemorate the Ursuline sisters from Quimperle, Brittany, who ran a school on the adjoining site of Beaconsfield from 1907 to 1930.
Source:
[1] "Illustrated Guide to the Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Plymouth", Sally Woodhead, 1992.
[1] "Illustrated Guide to the Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Plymouth", Sally Woodhead, 1992.