The Solemn Mass of Dedication of the new altar at the Jesuit Church of The Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, was celebrated by the Bishop Nicholas Hudson, on Wednesday 19th June 2019 at 6pm. Specially chosen music was provided by the acclaimed Farm Street Choir.
The new altar enhances the beauty of the church as well as enable, for the first time in many years, the recently restored nineteenth-century Pugin high altar to be visible from all parts of the church. The new altar is made from a fine white marble which was quarried at Carrara in Northern Tuscany. These famous quarries, dating back to the Roman Empire, are perhaps best known for having supplied marble to Michelangelo for his stone sculptures.
The church commissioned Mr Paul Jakeman of Paul Jakeman Stonecarving, London, one of the country's most highly respected ecclesiastical stone carvers, to decorate its new altar. Over a lengthy career, he has completed projects at Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral and St George's Chapel, Windsor.
Farm Street Church opened its doors in 1849 as the Jesuits’ flagship London church. Throughout its long history the church has gained a reputation as being a home for converts to Roman Catholicism, famous writers, challenging preaching and beautiful music.
As the Jesuit church in the heart of contemporary London, Farm Street is now a place of welcome and hospitality to all, including those returning to the Catholic Church and the LGBT Catholics Westminster community. The community, as a parish of the Diocese of Westminster, also has a focus on service to the disadvantaged, especially the homeless and refugees.
The church itself is well decorated with both historic and contemporary religious paintings and sculptures, which, along with the contemporary diversity of musical repertoire, uses the arts as a means to enliven faith. The new altar will serve to support this mission.
During his homily Bishop Nicholas reflected on the importance of the altar in our lives, 'We gather faithfully around this stone altar not simply to celebrate our communion with Christ but to receive the food we need to becoming living stones which announce Christ beyond the confines of this place. We consecrate the bread and wine in order that the world might be consecrated to Christ and that we might consecrate the world to him. Yes, we are a temple of people but only so that we might become living temples ourselves.'
Bishop Nicholas spoke to the regular parishioners of Farm Street, 'For all of you who worship here regularly, I hope that all the allusions, prayers, supplications, symbols and images of this celebration will continue to resonate with you as you return faithfully, many of you daily, to this place, 'Ever toward this place'.
For further images of the service or the installation of the new altar please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jesuitsinbritain/albums/72157709173646833 or https://www.flickr.com/photos/jesuitsinbritain/albums/72157709175347663
