St Hugh of Lincoln Parish, Knaphill
About our parish
St Hugh’s Church is the home of the Catholic Community in Knaphill, just outside Woking, Surrey. St Hugh’s is part of the Woking Deanery in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. The parish website is here. Our present church was built in 1971.
The parish covers the villages of Knaphill, Chobham, Pirbright, Bisley, West End, Brookwood and part of Goldsworth Park and St John’s, all of which lie to the west of Woking in Surrey. The church itself is located in a residential street off the main High Street in Knaphill. The church has its own car park opposite the church.
The parish is large and friendly with a large number of families. The 9:30 am Sunday mass is a ‘family’ mass with special time out for young children.
The parish offers a wide range of activities, both sacramental and social, including Baptism and First Holy Communion, Justice and Peace, Care Group, Prayer Groups and Young People’s Groups.
St Hugh’s parish works together with other churches locally on projects such as the Kings House Coffee Shop in Knaphill.
Newcomers are always welcome to the parish community. Do go and join in and introduce yourselves if you are in the area.
Contact
The parish church is at:
95 Victoria Road, Knaphill, Woking, GU21 2AA (map)
Tel: 01483 472404
Fax: 01483 472404
Email: sthugh.secretary@ntlworld.com
Parish Priest: Mgr. Jeff Scott L.C.L., M.C.L
Email: sthugh.priest@ntlworld.com
Parish website: http://www.sthughoflincoln.org
The Life of St Hugh of Lincoln
Hugh was born in 1135 at Avalon Castle, Burgundy, France. He was the son of William, Lord of Avalon. Hugh was cared for and educated at a convent, following the death of his mother, Anna, when he was just eight years old.
Hugh became a monk when aged 15, and four years later he was ordained Deacon. In 1160, Hugh joined the Carthusian order, and then, five years later, he was ordained Priest. In 1175 he became abbot of the first English Carthusian monastery, which was built by King Henry II.
Hugh’s reputation for holiness spread through England, and many people were attracted to the monastery. He was made bishop of Lincoln on 21 September 1181. Lincoln Cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake in 1185, but it was rebuilt under Hugh’s leadership.
Hugh spoke out against the mass persecution of Jews in England in 1190-91. He put himself in great danger, standing up to armed groups, making them release their victims. In the year 1200, during the reign of King John, Hugh became ill with an unknown ailment, and on 16 November 1200, he died.
Hugh’s main emblem is a white swan, in reference to a story of a swan with whom he had a deep and lasting friendship. According to the story, the swan would even guard Hugh while he slept.
Hugh was canonised by Pope Honorius III, on 18 February 1220.