CHANGE  AND  CONTINUITY

The Story of Sacred Heart Parish, Exeter

  By Robert Leaper

Foreword by Monsignor Harry Doyle  

A story about people in a place for a purpose - a city centre parish from Roman foundations to the death of Pope John Paul II.

Christians in Exeter through the Reformation and its aftermath.  George Oliver and the Mint Chapel.  The 1942 Blitz, renewal and 21^st Century challenges.

   Illustrated with hitherto unpublished photographs and maps.

 Laminated covers, ã 2005. 

160 pages with index.

   On sale at Sacred Heart Church, South Street, Exeter - £4.99

Delivered for £10.00 incl.  p.& p.

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Sacred Heart Church

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A Brief Review of ‘Change and Continuity: The Story of Sacred Heart Parish’

Philip Bostock

This is a fascinating and scholarly book.  It will appeal equally to those interested in the changing social life in Exeter in the context of the broad sweep of English history, from the Romans to the present day, and to those whose primary perspective is the thread of Christian worship which runs throughout this local historical canvas.

Robert Leaper’s book is, of course, particularly focused on the life and experiences of the Catholic community of Exeter over this period.  It is striking to be reminded of the peaks and troughs in the fortunes of this community - the death of 4,000 local rebels in the Prayer Book Rebellion, the execution of Catholic martyrs in Exeter during Elizabeth’s reign, the brief resurgence of Catholic fortune in 1685, swiftly followed by the hostility of the late 17^th century.  Then, from the mid-18^th century the very gradual growth of tolerance and confidence in the Catholic community, building up from the 28 known Catholics in Exeter in 1767 to the strong and active community of today.  The seminal role played by George Oliver in the 19^th century revival of Catholicism in Exeter is a key theme throughout the book and all of this historical background establishes very skillfully the context for Robert Leaper’s appraisal of the significance and role of the Sacred Heart Church, to whose parishioners the book is dedicated.

There is much absorbing detail in the descriptions of the initiation, building and subsequent usage of the Sacred Heart Church and its significance within Exeter’s social and religious life since 1884.  Robert Leaper’s obvious affection for this church and for those who have worshipped there over 12 decades, combined with his extensive research and his clear understanding and knowledge of the subjects he tackles, make this a very rewarding and thought-provoking work and one I would strongly recommend to anyone who wishes better to understand Exeter’s history and the place of religious observance within it.

Change and Continuity

The Story of Sacred Heart Parish, Exeter

Delian Bower

Professor Robert Leaper CBE  has many roles at Sacred Heart Parish, Exeter, in the community, and  at the University of Exeter. He has been a parishioner for over 35 years and is eminently qualified to write this book. His illustrious career includes among many other things, teaching social policy and community organisation at Swansea, Exeter and Roehampton Universities, being now Emeritus Professor from Exeter. He has been particularly active in locality work in Exeter and has been chairman of Exeter Council for Social Service and Exeter Age Concern. He has written many books and was for 20 years Editor of the Journal Social Policy and Administration.

The book which has been painstakingly researched over many years and resulted in a faith story which gives colourful glimpses of the people, clergy and events not only in the parish of the Sacred Heart but also in the City of Exeter, the Diocese of Plymouth and the Church in general.

The book opens appropriately with a detailed guide to the beautiful Church building dedicated in 1884. The building may form the background but this book is  not only about a building, it is about the people who have worshipped in it and the priests  and clergy (some   were colourful characters) who have served in it.

The long history prior to the dedication of the present church building is fascinating and reflects not only turbulent times in Exeter but is set against a background of what was going on in England and Wales. In this way the book is given a wider perspective.

To begin at the beginning Christianity was established in Exeter during the early fifth century after the Roman withdrawal. We are then given an insight with many references as to how  the Church developed until 1536, and how, for example St Boniface (born in Crediton and now Patron Saint of the Plymouth Diocese) became a model for evangelisation.

From 1535-1792 the Catholic Church -- the time of the Reformation and the Prayer Book Rebellion (which started a few miles from Exeter at Sampford Courtney) -- struggled to survive. It was a time of persecution. Figures such as St Thomas More (of whom there is a small statue in Sacred Heart Church) and St John Fisher are just two of many illustrious figures who are part of the story.

The end of the nineteenth century saw a dramatic growth in the parish with the establishment of the Mint Chapel. This was the period of George Oliver who was not only the first Parish Priest but a scholar of repute who wrote a History of Exeter in 1821. By the time the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 was passed, the Catholic Church in England was beginning to establish itself.

The the present church was opened and established in 1884, change was not only going on in the Catholic parish but also in the social, political and economic life in Exeter.

With the onset of two World Wars Sacred Heart Church held its own and the most illustrious character of this period was Father Thomas Barney who was parish priest for 28 years. During his time Exeter was badly bombed in the Second World War. The building had a remarkable escape, thanks to the valiant effort of priests, parishioners and neighbours.

The remaining chapters paint a colourful picture of the years of Reconstruction and Renewal, the impact and change with the Second Vatican Council in the sixties, an analysis of Education and Recreation and finally the Twenty  First Century with a glimpse towards the future.

There are many photographs from the parish archives which have never been published before. Included also are comprehensive and detailed references, eight Appendices including maps, a Glossary of Terms and a comprehensive index.

A final Postscript brings the book entirely up-to-date with the death of Pope John Paul II and the election and consecration of Pope Benedict XVI.

This book  is a major contribution to our our understanding of a parish community within the context of the universal Church. For that reason it deserves a wide audience.