Our Lady Queen of Peace and Blessed Margaret Pole

The present site was donated by Mr Reginald Cecil Lybbe Powys-Lybbe (1881–1930), a benefactor to the Church and a descendant of Blessed Margaret Pole.^[5] There is a plaque reading "Of your charity pray for the soul of Reginald Cecil Lybbe-Powys-Lybbe who generously gave the site on which the Southbourne church property stands. A Mass is said annually on Low Sunday for the repose of his soul. R.I.P."^[4]

A temporary church was built in 1928 and later became the church hall, rebuilt in 1956.^[1] The church was opened and blessed on 24 May 1939 by Rt Rev. William T. Cotter, Bishop of Portsmouth. It was consecrated on 27 May 1964 by Rt. Rev. Bishop T. Holland, Coadjutor Bishop of Portsmouth, assisted by Most Rev. Archbishop J.H. King, Bishop of Portsmouth. The church is built in the Italianate basilica style.^[1] The architect was Thomas Birchall Scott, F.R.I.B.A. (1872–1945),^[6] with the Portland stone statue of the Virgin Mary over the entrance executed by Mr Lindsay Clark, A.R.B.S.^[4]

The first parish priest in 1934 was Father Jesse Hetherington, followed by Father Joseph Murtagh (1949–1961), Father Timothy Dwyer (1961–1965), and Father Henry Murphy.^[4] When Father Murphy retired after 40 years, he was replaced by Father John Dunne, who retired in 2009.^[7]

• Official website

50°43′23″N 1°47′49″W / 50.723176°N 1.796967°W / 50.723176; -1.796967