It is with some considerable sadness that the Closing Mass has been celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea In Horden on 27th November 2024
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish Priests
- Fr Alfred Watson 1921 -1955
- Fr Edward Scallon 1955-1965
- Fr Dominic Carey 1965-2003
- Fr Kevin Gallagher 2003-2010
- Fr John Masshedar 2010-2015
- Fr Ian Jackson 2015-2016
- Fr Sean Neylan 2016-Present Day
Priests from the Parish
Fr McQuillan, Fr Cushlow, Fr J Timney, Fr B Russell, Fr I Patterson, Canon M McCoy, Fr D Russell
Horden was originally part of Easington Parish with Easington priests looking after Horden until 1921. Mass was said in the Junior School, South Terrace from 1914. Fr Thomas McManemy a curate at Easington was appointed as Priest in Charge on 27th March,1919.
In 1921 Horden was established as the new parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea and on 4th March 1921 Fr Alfred Watson was appointed as the Parish Priest with Mass continuing to be said in the Junior School until 1925. The Presbytery and Church were built in 1925. The church was opened on the 9th of December 1925. Due to structural problems the church was demolished, and the present church was built on the same site. The last Mass was said in the church on 30th January 1979, Fr Dominic Carey being the Parish Priest at the time.
Whilst the present church was being constructed Mass took place in the Catholic Club, (previously the Junior School) at weekends and in the Presbytery and parishioner’s homes during the week. On the 12th of June 1980 the new church was blessed and dedicated by the Rt Rev Owen Swindlehurst, Auxiliary Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, The Church foundation stone was cut in Ireland and blessed in Knock by Pope St John Paul II in September 1979. In 2014 the Parish of Our Lady, Easington was amalgamated with Our Lady Star of the Sea, Horden.
On the 18th of July 2024 the parishes of Our Lady of the Rosary in Peterlee and Our Lady Star of the Sea in Horden were amalgamated into one parish of Our Lady of the Rosary in Peterlee and Horden.
On the 1st of November Bishop Steven Wright issued a Decree that the closing Mass be celebrated on the 27th November 2024.
Order Of Service for the Final Mass at Horden was as follows
Daily Reading for Wednesday November 27, 2024
1st Reading – Revelation 15:1-4
Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 7-8, 9
Gospel – Luke 21:12-19
Homily – Fr D Russell
Gathering Music – Sweet Heart of Jesus
Entrance Hymn – No 156 – Faith of our Fathers
Offertory Hymn – No 730 – This is my Body
Communion Hymn – No 72 – Be still for the Presence of the Lord
Final Hymn – No 238 – Hail Queen of Heaven
Whilst the church may close the memories both happy and sad remain. We move forward in our journey of faith as Our Lady of the Rosary in Peterlee and Horden.
The order of service for the final Mass at Horden can be downloaded if you would like to keep a personal copy.
Our Lady Star of the Sea
The original Church building, which was of timber frame and timber wall construction, was built in 1921. It served the Parish well for nearly 60 years, which was much longer than originally expected.
The construction of the current Church was completed in 1980. The building has an octagonal layout, with glulam timber curved portal frames and brick internal and external walls. The design provides a large open internal space with no internal columns to obstruct view or layout. The Church foundation stone was cut in Ireland and blessed in Knock by Pope St John Paul II in September 1979. The completed Church was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Swindlehurst on 12 June 1980.
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