...church on a green, along by the Devon coast, and hymns on a Sunday morning. But this church has a special story. It was built in the 19th century as a Wesleyan Methodist chapel, and is today a Catholic Church dedicated to Our Lady of Walsingham and St Cuthbert Mayne, in the care of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. It's at Chelston in Torquay. After Mass, a delicious, talkative and enjoyable lunch with the rector and parishioners in the well-equipped parish centre. Fr David and his family have now moved into part of converted living quarters in old church offices and cloakrooms behind the church: stairs lead up to what is a slightly gothic but cosy sitting-room, and what was once a gents' loo now houses the family washing machine...
The church is charming and is being turned into a very lovely place of worship - all the work being done by the parish. There is much local goodwill, with the Methodists glad that the building has gone into good hands: at a farewell service the minister formally lit a ceremonial candle and passed it to Fr David with a prayer that "The light of Christ may keep burning in this place". It is indeed burning, bright. with daily Mass and a busy parish life. The weekend had seen a cheery bazaar (I bought up the last two jars of marmalade for J. as he is partial to it) and there are plans for an outdoor Nativity scene on the green, and all the usual Christmas events...
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