St. Mary
Silver End Essex
CM8 3PJ
Who we are
St. Mary welcomes Christians and those who seek to connect to Christianity in the Silver End area.
We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.
We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.
Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Silver End, Essex by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.
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We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey.
We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God.
Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in Silver End, Essex by helping people understand the enriching messages of eternal hope given to us by Jesus Christ through His words and deeds.
Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, beliefs, or background. Come just as you are - we'd love to get to know you better.
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Church Website
St. Mary on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Fr David Prior MA Â
Leader Position:
Parish Priest Â
Leader Address:
The Presbytery
14 Guithavon Street
Witham
Essex
CM8 1BN Â
14 Guithavon Street
Witham
Essex
CM8 1BN Â
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Fr David Prior MA Â
Administration
Admin Name:
Mrs Kate Prior Â
Admin Position:
Parish Administrator Â
Phone:
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Mrs Kate Prior Â
St. Mary Mass Times
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Vigil Mass
17.30 Saturday at Witham
Mass
09.00 at St Mary's, Silver End
Mass
11.00 at Witham
It's been more than 4 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Vigil Mass
17.30 Saturday at Witham
Mass
09.00 at St Mary's, Silver End
Mass
11.00 at Witham
It's been more than 4 years since the last mass times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm mass times.
Please contact the church to confirm Mass Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Other information
St. Mary History
In 1929, the centenary of Catholic Emancipation, Cardinal Bourne urged Catholics to build a church in every village in the country. In June that year Fr Richard Gay, Kelvedon's Parish Priest, informed Bishop Doubleday that there were 50 or so Catholics living in Silver End, a Garden City being developed by the Crittal Manufacturing Co. The 8d return bus fare to the churches at Kelvedon or Witham was beyond the means of many and some of the men were war invalids who found travel difficult.
Silver End’s Catholics petitioned the bishop for a church and in January 1930, no action having been taken, said they were prepared to take the matter directly to Rome. Fr Gay started a Mass centre in a hut at Silver End later that year where Mass was celebrated every Saturday, at first without the bishop’s knowledge. In 1934, the cost of building a small church was estimated to be £650. In 1936, Witham took responsibility for Silver End and Mass was celebrated in the village hall. In 1955 Fr Francis Wilson, Witham’s Parish Priest asked Bishop Beck for permission to buy a site at Silver End and a plot was acquired for £150 from Crittalls through the generosity of Mr Clifford Heron. Chelmsford Architects O’Neill & Fordham drew up plans for a brick building to seat 100 but little or no money was available. In 1957, Fr Wilson even proposed erecting an existing timber building from Surrey but the scheme was found to be impractical. In 1963 the existing plot was exchanged for another, close to the junction of Sheepcote Lane and Boars Tye Road, owned by Crittalls. Architect Martin Evans was engaged and building began in August 1965. The Church of St Mary, costing £9,000 and seating 70, was opened by Bishop Wall on 9th November 1966. Of a semi-circular, spiral plan in grey brick – it has been likened to a snail’s shell – it was designed to be easily extendable.
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Silver End’s Catholics petitioned the bishop for a church and in January 1930, no action having been taken, said they were prepared to take the matter directly to Rome. Fr Gay started a Mass centre in a hut at Silver End later that year where Mass was celebrated every Saturday, at first without the bishop’s knowledge. In 1934, the cost of building a small church was estimated to be £650. In 1936, Witham took responsibility for Silver End and Mass was celebrated in the village hall. In 1955 Fr Francis Wilson, Witham’s Parish Priest asked Bishop Beck for permission to buy a site at Silver End and a plot was acquired for £150 from Crittalls through the generosity of Mr Clifford Heron. Chelmsford Architects O’Neill & Fordham drew up plans for a brick building to seat 100 but little or no money was available. In 1957, Fr Wilson even proposed erecting an existing timber building from Surrey but the scheme was found to be impractical. In 1963 the existing plot was exchanged for another, close to the junction of Sheepcote Lane and Boars Tye Road, owned by Crittalls. Architect Martin Evans was engaged and building began in August 1965. The Church of St Mary, costing £9,000 and seating 70, was opened by Bishop Wall on 9th November 1966. Of a semi-circular, spiral plan in grey brick – it has been likened to a snail’s shell – it was designed to be easily extendable.
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I want to know Thee
Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus Name, Amen.
St. Mary listing was last updated on the 19th of October, 2019
