Abbey News

06 Dec 2025

Christmas 2025

Come and celebrate Christmas at Downside Abbey this year: Christmas Eve: 4.30pm Vigil Mass (carols at 4pm) Abbey Church (Dom Martin) 10.00pm Mass during the night (carols at 9.30pm) Abbey Church (Dom Abbot) Christmas Day: 11.00am Mass during the day St Benedict’s Church (Dom Martin) Please note there will be no Christmas Day […]

12 Sep 2025

Dedication of the Basilica of St Gregory the Great

On 12th September 1935, the biggest Roman Catholic ceremony in the west of England since the Reformation took place here at Downside Abbey. The consecration of the Abbey Church took place on this day, with the ceremony being presided over by the Prince Primate of Hungary, Cardinal Seredi. He was assisted by two cardinals, seven […]

09 Sep 2025

Bevan Family Concert at Downside Abbey

Downside Abbey is pleased to welcome the Bevan Family Consort for an evening of sacred choral music in our Basilica. By kind permission of the Abbot and Community of St Gregory the Great, the Bevan Family Consort will gather to celebrate the work of some of the finest Catholic composers of early modern Europe including […]

05 Sep 2025

Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust Visit

Downside Abbey welcomed the Friends of Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust today with over 40 enthusiastic members coming to appreciate the rich architectural composition of the Basilica of St Gregory the Great. Crossing the border into Somerset, the group later visited St Dominic’s Chapel at Mells Manor, St Andrew’s Church (Mells), St Giles’ Church (Leigh-upon-Mendip) and […]