Churches - Bevendean History Project
Consecration of St Mary Magdalen Church, Coldean
Consecration of St Mary Magdalen Church
as the Parish Church of Coldean
as the Parish Church of Coldean
The Bishop of Chichester signed the Mission and Pastoral Measure to create Coldean as a separate Parish within the United Benefice of Moulsecoomb on 19th February 2020.
The Coronavirus pandemic caused a very long delay before the service of Consecration could take place.
The service to Consecrate St Mary Magdalen Church as the Parish Church of Coldean along with the Consecration of the area set aside for the burial of cremated remains, finally took placed on St Mary Magdalen’s Day the 22nd July 2022.
The service was conducted by the Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, the Bishop of Chichester and started inside the church building.
The church was full with just over 100 people attending the service.
After the greeting by the Bishop the Churchwardens said:
“Reverend Father in God, we ask that the Petition for Consecration be read.”
The Diocesan Registrar then read the Petition for Consecration.
Following this The Bishop then blessed the water in a vessel and proceeded to sprinkle the Holy Water over the heads of the congregation.
The collect and readings for St Mary Magdalen’s Day followed and then the Bishop delivered a sermon on St Mary Magdalen.
The Consecration of the church started with the prayer of Dedication.
With the Bishop standing before the altar, he said:
“We now anoint this altar and this building. May God in his power make them holy, visible signs of the mystery of Christ and his Church.”
Then he anointed the altar with the oil of chrism in the middle and each of its four corners.
When the altar had been anointed, the Bishop anointed the walls of the church, with four crosses again signing with the oil of chrism.
After the rite of anointing, a brazier was placed on the altar for burning incense. The Bishop put incense into the brazier and said:
“Lord, may our prayer ascend as incense in your sight. As this building is filled with fragrance so may your Church fill the world with the fragrance of Christ.”
The table of the altar was then wiped with cloths after which it was covered and candles were placed on the altar. The Bishop then gave Rev Betsy Gray-Hammond, the vicar a lighted candle saying:
“Light of Christ, Shine forth in the Church and bring all nations to the fullness of truth.”
The candles on the altar were then lit.
The Bishop then conducted a Eucharistic service for the whole congregation with the Giving of Communion. He was assisted by two priest and two Lay Ministers of Communion. During this time several hymns were sung.
The Bishop lead by the churchwardens, clergy and servers then processed to the area to be consecrated for the burial of cremated remains.
The Churchwardens said:
“Reverend Father in God, we ask that the Petition for Consecration be read.”
The Diocesan Registrar read the Petition for Consecration of the burial ground.
The Bishop then proceeded to each corner of the ground to be consecrated, accompanied by the Vicar and Churchwardens.
At each corner, the Bishop marked the ground with the sign of the cross with his pastoral staff, saying,
“The blessing of the eternal God be upon this place to sanctify it, and keep it holy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The Bishop returned to the centre of the area and said,
“By virtue of our authority in the Church of God, we consecrate and set apart this ground from all profane and common uses, to be a resting place of the ashes of those who have departed in the Lord, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, bless, hallow and sanctify this ground, that all whose ashes are interred in this place may rest in peace and on that great day when Christ returns, may rise in glory. Amen.”
The Bishop then sprinkled the ground with Holy Water.
The service ended with a Blessing and Dismissal given by the bishop, after which he signed the service register in the Lady Chapel.
After a photograph of Bishop Martin, Rev Betsy Gray-Hammond, The Diocesan Registrar and Churchwardens, the congregation, clergy and priests proceeded to the church hall for a celebration party.
The cake made to celebrate the Consecration of the church.
The invitation card for the consecration had the Traditional Litany of St. Mary Magdalen printed on the reverse side.
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Saint Mary Magdalene, Pray for us.
Who anointed the feet of Jesus, Pray for us.
Who washed his feet with tears, Pray for us.
Who was vindicated before the proud Pharisee, Pray for us.
Who received the pardon for her sins, Pray for us.
Who restored from darkness to light, Pray for us.
Mirror of penance, Pray for us.
Wounded with the love of Christ, Pray for us.
Last at the cross of Jesus, first at his tomb, Pray for us.
First to see Christ risen, Pray for us.
Constant woman, Pray for us.
Apostle of apostles, Pray for us.
Loving advocate for sinners, Pray for us.
John Phillips
Photographs of the Consecration of St Mary Magdalen Church at Coldean
