Announcement: A New Parish — A New Beginning

By the gracious decision of our Bishop, the two former parishes of St Joseph’s, Oakham, St. Thomas’s, Exton and St Mary and St Augustine’s, Stamford, are now united in one new parish, the Parish of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, by Rutland Water.

This is not simply a change of name. It is a new beginning, a family formed in Christ, called to worship together, serve together, and grow in faith together.

I, Canon Peter, have the privilege and joy of serving as your parish priest. With God’s grace, I hope to guide this new parish with prayer, faithfulness, and a heartfelt love for each of you.

What this means, and what doesn’t change

Mass and the sacraments continue as usual, both at St Joseph’s in Oakham (Station Road, at St Mary and St Augustine’s in Stamford (Broad Street) and at St. Thomas of Canterbury Chapel, Exton. Our worship, our parish life, and our Church homes remain firmly in place. This is a joining together, not a closure.

This website is now the official home for the new parish. Here you will find Mass times, news and events, sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, RCIA and more), contact details, and future plans. Think of it as our common front door.

You may find these pages useful to begin with: Mass times, Confession, Newsletter, and Contact.

A little of our story

St Joseph’s, Oakham has long served the Catholic community of Rutland. The earlier church was built in Mill Street in the 1880s, and our present church complex on Station Road was built in 1975, combining church, hall and presbytery. It has welcomed generations of the faithful for Sunday Mass, Confession, parish gatherings, and the steady work of passing on the faith.

St Mary and St Augustine’s, Stamford has served Catholics in Stamford and the surrounding area for well over a century, with the present church opening in 1865. It remains a place of worship, hospitality, and prayer in the heart of the town.

St Thomas of Canterbury Chapel in Exton will continue to offer the Traditional Latin Mass to the parish every Friday at 7.00 pm.

Now, united by one name and one mission, we bring together the prayers, traditions, and communities of both churches in a new chapter of shared life and hope.

What’s next, and how you can help

For most people, nothing practical needs to change. Your presence, your prayers, and your support continue as before.

If you would like to join a parish group, or volunteer in any way, whether in welcome, music, liturgy, outreach, catechesis, or practical help, please look at the Get Involved page or get in touch through the Contact page. This is a time to build for the future together.

Above all, let us pray with hope. The heart of our parish is prayer, for one another, for new beginnings, and for fidelity to Christ’s call. Let us entrust this parish to Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest.