St Mary's Church, East Hendred, from the South
Welcome!
Welcome to the churches of St Mary's, East Hendred and St Patrick's, East Ilsley. We are part of the Thames Isis pastoral area of the Roman Catholic diocese of Portsmouth. Our parish is closely linked with that of Our Lady and St Edmund, Abingdon, and as well as East Hendred and East Ilsley also serves West Ilsley, Compton and neighbouring Downland villages.
Our Parish Priest is Fr Tom Taaffe, EpVic, who lives in Abingdon, while all day-to-day pastoral care is entrusted to Fr Bob Jennings, KHS, who lives in Faringdon. We believe both churches are very lively and reflect our common commitment to communion and mission.
If you are new to the area, please make yourself known to one of the ushers at Mass, who will make sure that one of the parish committee gets in touch as we want you to feel truly welcome. On Sundays there is coffee after Mass at St Mary's. Please come along as it is a good way to break the ice (even in summer!).
You will soon discover that Hendred and Ilsley have a lot to offer, including some surprises. Hendred House has been home to the Eyston family for nearly 600 years and has one of only three Catholic chapels in England where Mass has been said since before the Reformation. St Amand's Catholic Primary School serves not only the village but also the surrounding areas of Wantage, Grove and Didcot. There is even a monastery of Benedictine nuns opposite St Mary's church.
