St Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church, Malmesbury

St Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England is a Roman Catholic Church built in 1875. The church is dedicated to St Aldhelm who lived in Malmesbury and was the abbot at nearby Malmesbury Abbey.

St Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church Malmesbury
St Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church Malmesbury
St Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church Malmesbury
51.583°N 2.096°W / 51.583; -2.096
OS grid referenceST 93413 87131
LocationMalmesbury, Wiltshire
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationRoman Catholicism
Websitewww.saintaldhelms.com
History
Founded1875
Founder(s)
  • Father Francois Larive MSFS
  • Captain Charles Dewell
DedicationSt Aldhelm
Administration
ParishMalmesbury
DioceseClifton
Clergy
Bishop(s)Declan Ronan Lang
Priest(s)Father Tomas Kulandaisamy MSFS[1]
Deacon(s)Steve Boughton[1]

Buildings

St Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church is built in uncoursed stone with ashlar dressings, in 14th-century gothic style. It is set back from the town's market place, to which it presents its west façade where a large two-light trefoil-headed window is flanked by two plain lancets.[2]

Immediately south of the church is the presbytery. The Grade II Listed building incorporates a single-storey 19th-century former stable to Cross Hayes House, built in squared limestone, with a later rear extension in limestone rubble.[3]

History

The church was founded in 1875 by French priest Francois Larive MSFS, who was the first Missionary of St Francis de Sales to work in England.[4] The idea of founding a church in Malmesbury was given to him by Captain Charles Goddard Dewell of the 91st Argyllshire Regiment of Foot, who was born and raised in Malmesbury. The two met in 1858 while Captain Dewell was posted to the village of Kamptee in India.[5] Dewell had recently been baptised into the Roman Catholic Church after being converted to Catholicism following falling ill while serving in Italy.[6] He wanted to start a church in his home town, so after much discussion with Father Larive, the two decided to set up a church in Malmesbury.

In 1861, Father Larive and Dewell came to Malmesbury, and they decided on a site for the church: Cross Hayes House, which was owned by Dewell.[5] There were delays with the transfer of the lease of the house, so it did not become available until 1867. It was in that year that Captain Dewell became a lay brother in the Society of Jesus[5] and opened a school, despite fierce local opposition, including from the local member of parliament. A temporary church was set up on newly purchased adjoining land in 1869, and used until the present church was opened on 1 July 1875.[2] Father Larive dedicated the church to St Aldhelm who was the patron saint of the town and was the first abbot at the nearby Malmesbury Abbey between 675 and 705.[7]

The site of the old church became St. Joseph's Primary School, run by and named after the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy with whom Father Larive had previously worked. The school remained there until 1933 when it moved to its current site on Holloway Hill.[8]

References
  1. "Saint Aldhelms Malmesbury". www.saintaldhelms.com.
  2. "Malmesbury - St Aldhelm". Taking Stock. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  3. Historic England. "St Aldhems Presbytery (1269513)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  4. "English Province". Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, UK. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  5. "Captain Charles Goddard Dewell". btsarnia. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. "St. Aldhelm's Roman Catholic Church, Malmesbury". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. 25 October 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  7. "St Aldhelm". Athelstan Museum. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  8. "St Joseph's Catholic Primary School". Retrieved 9 July 2020.
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