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More than 300 parishioners, clergy and guests from across the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton gathered at Our Lady of Ransom Church, Eastbourne, on Wednesday 8 July for a special Mass of Thanksgiving marking the centenary of the church's consecration. The joyful celebration brought together parishioners from the parish's three churches, local civic representatives, clergy, ecumenical guests and friends from across the Deanery and Diocese, giving thanks for the enduring place Our Lady of Ransom holds at the heart of Catholic life in Eastbourne.

Welcoming the congregation, Parish Priest Fr Kevin Dring thanked everyone for joining the celebrations, saying:

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"It gives us great pleasure to welcome you all this evening and thank you for your support and friendship. Working with fellow Christians and others across our community is always a fruitful part of parish life... helping to build friendship and a strong sense of being part of the wider community in Eastbourne."

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He also paid tribute to the many parishioners whose hard work made the celebrations possible, adding: "Parish life is a big team effort—the more hands, the better!"

The church was filled to capacity for the Mass of Thanksgiving, with music led by the parish choir. At the conclusion of the liturgy, children from Year 4 at St Thomas a Becket Catholic Primary School offered a beautiful sung prayer to Our Lady.

Guests arriving for Mass were welcomed through a striking "Ave Maria" arch at the church entrance, before celebrations continued in the parish hall and grounds. A beautifully decorated hall, complete with an Ave Maria banner and centenary celebration cake, provided the setting for a sumptuous international buffet prepared by parishioners, reflecting the rich diversity of the parish community. Members of the Eastbourne Deanery West Hub Youth joined parish volunteers in serving food and drinks throughout the evening.

Commemorative memorabilia featuring newly commissioned photographs of the church's architecture, devotional spaces and artistic treasures also proved a popular attraction, with calendars, mugs, magnets, wall art and other keepsakes available to mark the occasion.

In a message sent for the celebration, Eastbourne MP Josh Babarinde described Our Lady of Ransom as "a beautiful and much-loved place of worship in the heart of our town", recognising its role as both a spiritual home and "a place of comfort, community, and welcome for so many people across Eastbourne." He thanked the generations of clergy, volunteers and parishioners whose faith and dedication have strengthened the parish over many decades.

The centenary marked not only an important moment in the history of the church but also a celebration of a living parish community. As Our Lady of Ransom gives thanks for its past, it continues to look forward with hope, committed to proclaiming the Gospel and serving the people of Eastbourne as the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton continues its journey of renewal in prayer, formation and mission under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Wang.

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Our Lady of Ransom, Eastbourne, is part of the Eastbourne & St Leonards Deanery. As part of the deanery's commitment to the Arundel & Brighton Diocesan Pastoral Plan, The Word Who is Life: The Call to Mission, a deanery magazine is being produced. Click below to read the latest issue.