HISTORY OF
ST. MARY'S PARISH,
THE AUGUSTINIANS
The Augustinians [Austin Friars] arrived at St. Mary's in 1973 to a growing catholic population in Harborne and surrounds, and realised along with the previous Passionists that the church was becoming too small. Ever since the war years the possibility of enlarging the church, or even building a new one, was on everyone's lips. The final decision was not made until 1976 when the Prior, Fr. Malachy Loughran and the Parish Council decided to go ahead.
The Architects Impession of the new developments for St. Mary's,
comprising Old and New Church, Priory, Cemetry and Servite Community
at the corner of Vivian Road and Harborne Park Road.
With an eye to future parish developments a Development Fund had been set up during the previous year with Mr. R. E. Hamilton as its Treasurer and Co-ordinator of Parish Finances. Action was taken immediately, notably the Covenant Scheme, and this was to have far-reaching beneficial effects.
Fr. Malachy Loughran, Prior; Brian Rush, Architect;
Carmel Cauchi, Sculptor; Russell Hamilton, Treasurer.
A firm of Architects, Brian A. Rush and Associates, was consulted, plans were drawn up and finally , in July 1977, a contract for the new church was signed with W. T. Pickering Ltd. The work on the new church started on 1st. August 1977 and was completed in 56 weeks.
INSCRIPTION ON THE FOUNDATION STONE
"This Foundation Stone from Clare Priory, Suffolk, the first
Augustinian Monastery founded in England 1248, was carried to
Harborne by the St. Mary's Scout and Guide Group.
Feast of St. Augustine, 28th. August 1978."It can be truly said that the new church of St. Mary's is a landmark, not only in that it greatly improves this area of Harborne but is a monument to the steadfastness and generosity of its people: it is a sign of affirmation; Christ IS alive, and is the strength of his people.
1978: Br. Peter Quinn, Fr. George Stibbles, Fr. Mark Minihane,
Fr. Malachy Loughran [Prior], Fr. Tom Hartnett, Fr. Paul Graham, Fr. Joe Gorman.
TO BE CONTINUED.....
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