OS grid reference SP 2796064565 Functional status Active Architect E. W. Pugin | Location Warwick, Warwickshire Denomination Roman Catholic Heritage designation Grade II Phone +44 1926 492913 Designated as world heritage site 24 February 1993 | |
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Diocese Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham Similar Catholic Church, St Mary Immaculate Catholic, St Peters R C Church, St Francis Of Assisi R C Church, Catholic Church of Saint Gre | ||
St. Mary Immaculate is an active Roman Catholic parish church in the town of Warwick, England. It lies to the south west of the town on West Street outside the West Gate. The church was opened on 12 May 1860 (1860-05-12). The architect was Edward Welby Pugin, eldest son of the more famous Augustus Pugin. The church is built in red brick and Bath stone in the Decorated Gothic style and is a Grade II listed building. St Mary Immaculate was probably the first church in England to be dedicated to the Immaculate Conception after the definition of the dogma in 1854.
During World War I (1914–1918) J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of over 56 books, including The Lord of the Rings, married parishioner Edith Mary Bratt in the church on 22 March 1916 (1916-03-22)
The church is linked to St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School which was originally next to the church. This building is now the church hall and St. Mary Immaculate Catholic primary school occupies a much larger site next to Priory park.