St Etheldreda's Church, Ely

By the middle of the nineteenth century the town of Ely had approximately 600 families and there were some 30-40 Catholics living in the district. but there was no resident priest. At that time there was a single missionary rector based in Cambridge, Canon Thomas Quinlivan. The opening of the London to Norwich railway line in July 1845 made it easier for Canon Quinlivan to travel to Ely and say occasional masses in a private house in the town. The parish of St Etheldreda began as a distinct and separate mission in 1890 when Fr John Francis Freeland was sent to Ely and opened the first place of worship by partitioning his lodging room to create a tiny chapel. and the first Roman Catholic…

The current church was opened on 17 October 1903, on the feast of the translation of St Etheldreda's relics. Due to the finances at the time of opening, the church was not consecrated until 22 May 1987. The architect of the church was Simon Croot of Brampton and the builders were Messrs Howard of Huntingdon. The church was built for a cost of £2,600 with the Presbytery costing a further £900 The parish church was dedicated to St Etheldreda because she died in Ely. The church is built in Decorated Gothic style, with a separate elevated sanctuary and two aisles. It contains a number of stained glass windows which depict: The original organ was by the Positive Organ Company. The original…