A SUMMER cultural extravaganza is being planned to mark the 50th birthday of one of Oxford’s most vibrant churches.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church was established in 1966 at a venue in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, hot on the heels of the Church of the Holy Family the year before.

From its roots as a modest prayer house to a thriving cultural centre, the venue, today led by Father Nazarius Mgungwe, has got plenty to celebrate.

Malawian-born Fr Mgungwe, who has been vicar since July 2010, said: “In the past the church was attended mostly by the Irish community, but over the years it has become much more multicultural. There are people from the Philippines, India, Africa and East Timor; it’s just like the United Nations.

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“The church was built as part of a multi-purpose hall that was used for other things during the week and on Sundays turned into a prayer house.

“Later on in the 1980s one of the priests split it, leaving one side for the church and the other permanently for the hall. There’s no need for more really; we are happy.”

About 120 people attend Sunday Mass at the church each week and a further 40 to 60 on Sunday evenings. There are now several choirs run by the different ethnic groups.

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Suvarna and John Kusumalayam cut their anniversary cake

Members frequently run charity initiatives including raising money for educational projects in Kenya and Bethlehem, and recently sending food packages to Calais.

Fr Mgungwe, better-known by the congregation as Father Naz, added: “It is such a lovely community, very caring and friendly. That’s what I like about it.

“There is a very strong ecumenical spirit in Blackbird Leys and we try to work very closely with the Anglican church, the Church of the Holy Family, with activities.

“At the moment our youth group is a little weak. There is a place for young people here and we are organising things like quizzes for youth in Blackbird Leys and Oxford.”

Following a meeting last Sunday, plans for a large-scale anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 4 are beginning to take shape.

Over the next few months, couples who were married at Sacred Heart in the 1960s and 1970s are being asked to make themselves known and come and renew their wedding vows at the church.

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Patrick McGroarty and Jaqui Halliday serve drinks after the Sunday morning service

Last Sunday one couple, Suvarna and John Kusumalayam, held their 20th anniversary at Sacred Heart with Papal blessing documents from the Vatican.

Onlooker and regular churchgoer Jacqui Halliday, 57, said: “I think they had a great time. We provided a cake, they provided a cake, so we all had lots of cake.

“We do lots of things like that; singing happy birthday and getting cakes for older people. I have been here for 25 years and it’s a great community. There are so many different types of people and we are known for being welcoming and warm, and there’s always too much food.”

  • For more information on the event or if you were married at Sacred Heart and want to renew your vows, call 01865 776903 or visit sacredheartoxford.com