Westminster Record October 2008
Parish Profile ‘A little gem’ in the centre of London This month we visit Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane for our Parish Profile By Maeve McCormack At the centre of Covent Garden, amidst the bars and clubs, Maiden Lane is perhaps not where you would expect to find a parish church. But tucked away down this busy road is Corpus Christi, where Fr Chris Vipers has been the parish priest for the last two years. He jokes that he probably lives in the noisiest parish in the Diocese, and it is clear that he enjoys living right at the heart of London and being in the midst of the parish community here.
reconciliation is a big part of this, with confessions taking place every day. The church is open for 12 hours a day, meaning that this truly is a “place of sanctuary in amongst the hustle and bustle.”
Corpus Christi caters for a wide range of parishioners, and there is something here that everyone can take part in and enjoy. The Latin Mass Society is based here, and meets to celebrate Mass every Monday and on feast days. Fr Chris tells me that, “People come from North, South, East and West for This is an unusual parish, serving that.” On a Wednesday evening, everyone from tourists and theatre Corpus Christi also plays host to the goers who attend Mass at weekends London Youth 2000 group, who to office workers taking some time come here for Eucharistic adoration out during their working days. and to pray the rosary together. Fr Chris tells me that: Fr Chris adds that, “We “The parish is almost like also have a development a chapel of ease for the “It’s amazing worker, Anne Marie hotels and for the Salgo, who comes up who you entertainment world” with all sorts of things and so it is rightly the could bump such as ‘Spirit in the home of the Catholic into here!” City’,’ an annual summer Stage Guild. Famous festival - it is another Mass goers have way of reaching out included Frank Sinatra, who used to to people.” sing at Mass when he stayed nearby at the Savoy. Graham Greene refers A strong sense of community to the parish in his novel ‘The End of Corpus Christi plays a major role the Affair’. As Fr Chris says, within its surrounding community. “It’s amazing who you could bump The parish shares its First into here!” Communion and Confirmation programmes with the Lincoln’s Inn Corpus Christi not only plays host to Fields parish of St Anselms and St artistes seeking some ‘time out’ Cecilia. It also shares a primary from their work; it has also itself school, St Joseph’s, with that parish been the site of creativity. The hymn as well as St Patrick’s in Soho. ‘Sweet Sacrament Divine’ was Corpus Christi not only engages written in the presbytery and, with these other Catholic parishes, naturally, Fr Chris says that “we sing but is also an active member of the it quite a lot.” This is a lively and Churches Together in the West End exciting parish to be a part of. Group, which meets monthly and is designed to promote unity between Range of activities different Christian denominations. Despite the fact that many of those Fr Chris says that these different who attend Mass here are simply churches all have a “common care visiting the parish, there is a wealth and concern for the area” and it is of activities going on here, catering clear that the strong sense of for a range of tastes. Fr Chris is keen community is not confined to to emphasise that, “There is a real Corpus Christi, but spreads sense of community here. We have a ministry of welcome and throughout Covent Garden. of hospitality.” The opportunity to The church building receive the sacrament of As we step into Corpus Christi, I find it amazing that a church somewhere so busy should be so calm. Fr Chris says that most people’s response is “Wow, isn’t this beautiful” when they enter the building. This is an extremely accurate description of the Victorian church!
Fr Chris Vipers outside Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane Page 16
The church was built by local people in 1873, many of whom were originally from Ireland and wanted somewhere in which they could
(Clockwise from top) ; The statue of St Patrick; The interior of the Church; Detailing near the altar. celebrate their faith. The huge statue of St Patrick dates from when the Church was opened and serves as a reminder of Corpus Christi’s Irish beginnings. It was the first church to be dedicated to Corpus Christi since the Reformation and so when it opened it was widely acclaimed throughout the country. Cardinal Manning celebrated the first Mass here, and many influential figures have visited over the years, including Ronnie Knox. Fr Chris preaches from the same stone pulpit that was first used 135 years ago every Sunday, and says of this that, “I feel like I am standing on the shoulders of giants!”. Although this is a modern parish, there is a strong sense of history here. The parish is soon going to launch a fundraising campaign in order to raise £300,000 to fund a project to restore the church – 134 years of wear and tear is beginning to take its toll on the fabric of the church! Vocations Fr Chris also has another important role within the Diocese, that of Vocations Director, a position that he has held since 2002. He tells me that “Corpus Christi is a great place to be as Vocations Director because it’s very central. This isn’t the Vocations Church but it could be. We have a real focus on vocations and helping people to discover their vocations in life. ”Given the recent dramatic increase in Diocesan vocations, from three new seminarians at Allen Hall
in 2004 to 12 this year, clearly this parish has embraced Fr Chris in his role. Fr Chris concludes our chat by telling me that he “Can’t believe that I’ve been asked to be steward of such a
little gem.” It’s a fitting description of this vibrant parish, which has such a rich history and which will undoubtedly continue to be a place of encounter for many years to come.