The Parish of St. Augustine of Canterbury
St Augustine’s Church was opened in September 1962 and is situated in Matson Lane, Gloucester, just off the main Painswick Road (GL4 6DT). It is a large modern building with a hall attached. There are a limited number of parking spaces. On-road parking is available a short walk away along Matson Lane.
The parish has two Sunday Masses. The Saturday evening Vigil Mass is celebrated at 6.30pm. There is also an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation after this Mass. And on Sunday Morning the parish gathers for the main Sung Mass at 11.00am. There is a parish choir and also a music group which plays monthly. We also have Children’s Liturgy some weeks and on one Sunday of the month our celebration focuses upon the First Holy Communion Children who read and participate through other ministeries. Every Sunday Mass is followed by a social time in the hall. We would warmly welcome more musicians and more people to people to become involved with altar serving and with the leading of the children’s liturgy.
During the week Mass is normally celebrated at 10.00am on Wednesdays and Fridays and on major holy days. You are always advised to check the programme on the current Newsletter.
St Augustine’s is a warm friendly church and many worshippers have long links with it. At the same time there is a mix of people who have come from all over the world and settled here in Gloucester.
New Parishioners
A guide for newcomers to St. Augustines
Are you new to the parish of St. Augustines? Welcome.
Please make yourself known to Fr. Gerry. Various parish groups look after the practical and spiritual needs of our church. There is information about the activities both here online and also in the parishioners handbook. We hope that you will be able to take part in some of the activities that are taking place. We aspire to be a warm and friendly community and we hope that you will find your time at St. Augustines to be spiritually rewarding.
Music and Choir at St. Augustines
“Sing the words and tunes of the psalms and hymns when you are together…”. ( Ephesians, 5:19 )
“One cannot find anything more religious and more joyful in sacred celebrations than a whole congregation expressing its faith and devotion in song.” ( Musicam Sacram, 16 )
In these quotes lies the essence of what those of us who provide music for services at St. Augustines seek: to join with the congregation in lifting our collective voice to the glory of God. We are blessed to be able to do this at every Sunday morning Mass, as a result of collaboration between a number of groups and individuals.
In addition to the Folk Group we have a chamber choir, the Saint Augustine Singers, which sings on the third Sunday of each month and, if required, at weddings and funerals.
Where there is a fifth Sunday in the month, we have an ad hoc ‘open’ choir, when anybody who wishes can join in the singing from the choir loft. On other Sunday mornings, the singing is led by a Cantor and Musician Harmonist.
St. Augustine’s has a small single manual pipe organ. Other accompaniment is provided by a digital piano and guitars, including, in the case of the Folk Group, a bass guitar.
We are always delighted to have people join us. Whether as singer or instrumentalist you will be very welcome.
The Syro-Malabar Community
St. Augustines is also the place of worship for the Syro-Malabar community in Gloucester. The community meets regularly to celebrate Mass. Also on the afternoons of the first and fourth Sundays of each month social and spiritual activities are held in the parish hall.
The Syro-Malabar church is one of the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome. For details on their history and the community in Gloucester please visit the following page.
The History of the Church
The first catholic mass in Matson was celebrated by Mgr. Roche on December 21st 1952 in the canteen of the builders of the Matson council estate. Thereafter in the Redwell Road community centre. In 1959 masses were moved to the skittle alley at the Musket Inn. To meet the needs of an ever-increasing catholic population St. Augustines was built. The Foundation Stone was laid on 22nd February 1962 on an area of open ground that was purchased from the City Council on 19th January 1962. Mgr. Roche celebrated the first Mass on September 30th, 1962.
This year, 2022, we are celebrating our 60th anniversary.
Download the text from the publication to commemorate the dedication of the church in 1988.
St. Augustine’s Parish Hall
The hall forms an active part of the social life of St. Augustine’s church. It is used regularily for church activities, parish events and by the Syro-Malabar and Scouts groups. The primary aim being to serve the needs of the community that is centred around the church.
Coffee is served in the hall after the 11.00 Sunday Mass, and provides a chance to meet with other parishioners. A group of volunteers prepares and serves the tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits, toast on a rota basis. New volunteers are always welcome.
When not used for Church activities the hall is available for general booking. We would like to welcome parishioners and their families who have a need for a meeting place. Likewise businesses, clubs and organisations that wish to hold regular events.
For enquiries about booking the hall at St. Augustine’s please contact Dariusz on 01452 507081.