The Parish of Our Lady of Light and St Osyth

Our Lady of Light and St Osyth is our parish church in Clacton-on-Sea. It has been a place of prayer, worship and community for more than 120 years.

Before the church was built, Catholics in Clacton had Mass in different places, including a Martello Tower, the Royal Hotel and people's homes. In 1895, two Catholic women, Mrs Pauline de Bary and Mrs Agnes St John, brought the devotion to Our Lady of Light to Clacton. They bought land at the corner of Church Road and Holland Road and hoped to establish a shrine.

The Oblates of St Charles took responsibility for the Catholic mission in Clacton in 1895. The first priest was Father Alfred Swaby, and Mass was initially celebrated in a house called Montfort. As the Catholic community grew, it became clear that a much larger church was needed. (Our Lady of Light & St. Osyth)

Building work began in 1902, designed by architect F. W. Tasker. The church was built in a beautiful Norman-inspired style, using stone and brick. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Light, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, and St Osyth. The completed church opened with Solemn High Mass on 15 October 1903. (Our Lady of Light & St. Osyth)

St Osyth is remembered as a Saxon Christian woman and abbess associated with the nearby village of St Osyth. Her name connects our parish with the much older Christian history of the local area. (Our Lady of Light & St. Osyth)

Our church is also home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Light, Spouse of the Holy Spirit. The church was officially Grade II listed because of its important architecture and historic interior. (Historic England)

For generations, people have come here to pray, celebrate Mass, receive the Sacraments, remember loved ones and grow together as a parish family.

Today, Our Lady of Light and St Osyth continues to be a spiritual home for the Catholic community of Clacton-on-Sea.

Our Lady of Light, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
St Osyth, pray for us.