Down the Memory Lane: The Altar of St. Mary’s Church:

The Altar of our Church dates from 1889 when the church was built but it was not in the place where it is now but possibly where the Tabernacle is.  When Vatican II required priests to face the people when celebrating the Mass, the then Parish Priest Fr. C.J Thornton was faced with the task of bringing such change into effect.

St. Mary’s always being so special in Coventry attracted the attention of the media all over the Midlands who came to see what was happening. Transferring the Altar to its present place began in November 1968 and it was contracted by Mr William Woodhead of Coventry Monumental masons. Mr Woodhead found that the stone – Staffordshire alabaster was soft and crumbling mainly because of damp. The altar had to be dismantled and each stone, more than hundred numbered. Mr Woodhead described the job as one of the most interesting they have ever taken: “ we had to do every bit by hand, moving the stones back to the workshop and re-polishing each one.  For what St. Mary’s Church is this job needed a high standard and many hours of patient work.” Coventry Evening Telegraph Thursday July 24^th, 1969 pg. 5 

Everything at St. Mary’s should always be handled with care, no matter how small it might be. The original stones with which the first Altar was built were not thrown away instead they were carefully handled during the workshop operation and then re-assembled in church on a new dry floor. The rear part of the Altar was refaced with marble.  

As we prepare to welcome visitors to celebrate the 80^th anniversary of the consecration of our Church our hearts are thankful to God.

Fr. Jimmy Lutwama, AJ