Jesuits take up residence at new Corpus Christi Centre

Eleven Jesuits became the first residents of the new Corpus Christi Jesuit Community this week.  The purpose-built centre at Boscombe near Bournemouth is situated adjacent to Corpus Christi Church and primary school, and can accommodate up to 22 residents.

The house was designed by Place architects on the site of the former presbytery.  It is a striking modern building with many imposing features, most noticeably a lead conical tower rising above the chapel which is situated in the lower ground floor.  The communal facilities include dining room and kitchen, community rooms and a library.  The finish is light and airy, with glass features, concrete walls and wooden floors.  The en suite bedrooms are basic but comfortable, each with a balcony and many offering a view over the landscaped gardens and the church.  The grounds provide a restful area for residents, staff and visitors and include a moving water feature.

There is a fully equipped treatment room, as well as activity rooms for the members of the Corpus Christi Jesuit Community which is principally made up of retired Jesuits.  Round-the-clock health care is being supplied by the St John of God Care Services which provides a specialist service for religious orders and congregations, particularly in relation to the care needs of the elderly and the implications of new legislation relating to care standards.

The first residents include Fr Derrick Maitland, the former parish priest at Springlands in Guyana, and Fr Geoffrey Holt - at 95, the oldest Jesuit in the British Province - who was the Province's Archivist for many years.  The Provincial, Fr Michael Holman SJ, will be visiting the Corpus Christi Jesuit Community from next Tuesday, 18 September.