Music lies at the heart of our worship at the Sacred Heart, Wimbledon. Our 12pm Sung Mass is supported by a voluntary adult choir and enriched by our beautifully restored organ. Each Sunday offers a distinctive musical experience—drawing deeply from the Church’s rich heritage and embracing the diversity of sacred choral traditions.
Sung Latin Mass (Missa Cantare) – First Sunday of the Month
On the first Sunday of every month, we celebrate a Sung Latin Mass (in the Ordinary Form). This liturgy draws on the deep traditions of the Church’s Latin musical heritage. The choir sings settings of the Mass in Latin, along with the plainsong Propers of the day—Introit, Gradual, and Alleluia.
The Credo and Pater Noster are sung to familiar plainsong melodies, and the Marian antiphon appropriate to the season is included. Motets are also sung at the Offertory and Communion, and for special celebrations, the Mass concludes with the traditional prayer for the King, Domine salvam fac.
This monthly Latin Mass is an opportunity to experience the beauty and solemnity of the Church’s musical treasury, offering space for reflection and reverence through timeless chant and polyphony.
English Liturgy – All other Sundays
On all other Sundays, the Mass is celebrated in English. This setting allows the choir to explore a wide variety of sacred music, particularly from the rich Anglican choral tradition. Composers such as Howells, Stanford, Bairstow, and Britten feature regularly, alongside great Catholic composers like Palestrina, Victoria, Mozart, and Haydn.
These liturgies blend tradition with accessibility, supporting full participation while presenting sacred music of high quality and meaning.
Join the Choir
The choir is a voluntary adult choir of around twenty voices, and we are always open to welcoming new members. Musical experience is very helpful as our repertoire changes each week, but it is not essential—a love of sacred music is what matters most.
Rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings from 7.30–9.30pm, and again before Sunday Mass at 10:45am. Wednesday rehearsals usually continue socially at the Hand in Hand pub on Wimbledon Common!
If you’re interested in joining or finding out more, please contact Robert Rathbone, Director of Music, via the Presbytery at 0137 284 1442 or via email at robert.rathbone@mac.com.