The Baroness Pauline von Hugel is usually regarded as the Foundress of Corpus Christi, the church used by the people who lived in the Iford area. But it would be more correct to see her as one of a trio who were the main founders, the others being Father de Lapasture and Miss Ellen Redmayne.

The daughter of an Austrian diplomat, Pauline von Hugel had early in life decided to devote herself to charitable and religious works. After the death of her father, Pauline and her mother, Elizabeth von Hugel, had settled in Bournemouth, together with a close family friend, Miss Ellen Redmayne.

From the time when Father de Lapasture became responsible for the Boscombe and Pokesdown district in 1884, Pauline von Hugel becamea constant helper and in her work would have meet many of the grandparents of today's St. Thomas More congregation.

When in 1887 the need of a church building became urgently necessary, she offered to provide financially for a temporary building of a school/chapel. The Superior of the Sacred Heart Church was doubtful about the project, and Pauline vigorously urged the need. Eventually, a temporary building was obtained from the Portsmouth Diocese, and Pauline contributed generously to the furnishings and equipment, which was opened in 1888.

A few years later, when the congregation had outgrown the temporary building, it was decided to build a replacement church. It was about this time that Miss Redmayne inherited a considerable sum of money and she placed at the disposal of her friend Pauline von Hugel a sum sufficient for the building of the church.

Pauline carried through all the business related to the church and she and her mother contributed considerably to the furnishing of the church.

The church of Corpus Christi was commenced in 1895 and was opened on 8th September 1896 by Bishop Vertue. The Baroness gave the church to the Fathers of the Society of Jesus. From here, the Jesuit Fathers travelled to Pokesdown and Iford to meet members of the congregation.

During the remaining five years of her life, Pauline von Hugel worked in the parish; she was an active member of parish societies, she formed a small choir for which she herself played an harmonium, was a regular visitor to the Holy Cross School, and was particularly interested in the needs of the poor.

Pauline died at the age of only 43 and at her own request, was buried in the small churchyard at Stratton on the Fosse, in the shadow of Downside Abbey Church.

Her work is commemorated on large brass plaque mounted on the wall at the rear of Corpus Christi church and which is polished regularly every week. The hundredth anniversary of her death fell on 29th March, 2001 and a mass said in her memory by Father Beattie.

The inscription on her grave, reads:

'PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF Pauline, the beloved daughter of BARON CHARLES VON HUGEL & ELIZABETH HIS WIFE. BORN AT FLORENCE NOV. 3rd 1857 DIED AT BOSCOMBE MARCH 29th 1901'

John Young DMA

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