Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary, Mere

Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary, Mere
Date of image
2003
Date uploaded
25 October 2007
Number of views
1242
Number of comments
0
Location of image
Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Chippenham
Notes

After the Reformation Roman Catholics from the Zeals area met at the church at Bonham, in neighbouring Stourton parish. In 1932 a room behind the Butt of Sherry was rented for services, which were conducted by a Benedictine monk from Downside Abbey, who was also the parish priest at Bonham. This room was used until 1939 when, by permission of the vicar, a room in the National School building was used. The congregation increased in number and it decided to provide a purpose-built church. The site was given by a former resident of Mere, in memory of her son who was killed at Dunkirk, and the church was formally opened in September 1946. It seats around 80 people and has an altar and Stations of the Cross obtained from the private chapel at Fonthill Abbey. The church is served from Warminster.