Catholic Parishes of Chichester & the Witterings
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A brief history of Our Lady of the Assumption Church

1947
A legacy is left by a Bosham resident, Miss Preece, and land is purchased to site a Catholic Church in Bosham.
​1951
A disused wooden church in Kent is bought, transported and put up by volunteers on the purchased land.
​1952
28 December: Mass is celebrated for the first time by the Southwark Travelling Mission.
​Mass is said every six weeks at the church.
Mid 50s
​The Bosham Church officially comes under the Parish of Chichester.
1957
Fr Fox, Parish Priest, lays out ambitious plans to improve the churches in his parish.
1968
Building for the present chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption begins with funds raised from the parish football pool, and with donations from parishioners. The existing wooden church on the site is dismantled and then put up at Blessed Philip Howard Catholic School in Barnham (to become St Philip Howard). 
1968
The Nutbourne Chapel of the Nativity is opened.
1969
Work on the church nears completion at a cost of £30,000. The Chichester Observer describes the building as “ an outstanding example of modern architecture which fits in admirably with its surroundings”.
1970
29 May: First Mass is celebrated and the church is officially opened by Bishop Cashman.
2002
The chapel at Nutbourne is closed and furnishings and stained glass windows are moved to Our Lady of the Assumption.
2005
Parish Priest, Fr Kieron O’Brien organises a project to open up and re-order the sanctuary. ​
2008
​Fr Kieron O’Brien starts a project to enhance the communal meeting area with the improvement of kitchen and toilet facilities.
​2016
A wooden crucifix is installed on the exterior of the church, and work starts on creating a Marian garden.
Picture
construction is underway using prefabricated interior timbers and an existing design.
​St Richard’s | Chichester | PO19 1XB
Our Lady of the Assumption | Bosham | PO18 8JH
St Peter's | East Wittering | ​PO20 8PS
Tel 01243 782343
The parish is part of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton.  ​Arundel & Brighton Diocesan Trust registered charity 252878. © Copyright 2018. All rights reserved. 
  • Home
  • New here?
  • Our Parish
    • Clergy & Churches >
      • St Richard's Church
      • Our Lady of the Assumption Church
      • St Peter's Church
    • Administration
    • Schools & Nursery
  • Faith & Worship
    • Mass & Confession Times
    • Faith Enquiry
    • Prayer Opportunities
    • Ministries at Mass
    • Intercessions
    • Funerals
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Eucharist (Holy Communion)
    • Confirmation
    • Reconciliation (Confession)
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Matrimony
    • Holy Orders
  • Pastoral Life
    • Social Activities >
      • Everyone
      • Children & Families
      • Men
    • Welfare
    • Mission
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
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