Hierarchy Browser

Record

AAW - Archives of the Archbishop of Westminster
- DOW - Diocese of Westminster
  - PAR - Parishes

Repository	Archives of the Archbishop of Westminster
Ref No	AAW/DOW/PAR/101
Title	Hounslow, St Michael and St Martin
Level	Series
Description	The Hounslow mission had a traditional link with the army dating back to 1687, when James II had a prefabricated chapel built at the military camp on Hounslow Heath. (After the accession of William III this was rebuilt in Conduit Street as an Anglican chapel of ease to St Martin-in-the-Fields). Mass was said at Hounslow Barracks' from 1862 onwards, by priests based at Sunbury. The establishment of the Hounslow mission as a separate parish was made possible by a generous benefactor, Miss Bierwith, who lived at Burdett Lodge, Bath Road, which she allowed to be used as a presbytery for the clergy. The first resident priest, Fr Tim O'Sullivan, came to live there in 1884, and the original church of St Michael and St Martin was built in 1885 on a site purchased by Miss Bierwith. It served as a church at the weekend and a school during the week. It was formally opened on 24 August, 1886 by Cardinal Manning, Archbishop of Westminster. The saints to whom the church was dedicated were considered to be appropriate patrons for the garrison town of Hounslow. As with so much of this area of west London, Hounslow expanded greatly between the wars and the present church was built in 1928-29 to meet the needs of the increased Catholic community. It was designed in the Italian Romanesque style by George Drysdale, who had worked in the offices of Ernest George and Leonard Stokes. On 11th March 1928 the foundation stone was laid. The new church was formally opened on the 19 March 1929 in a ceremony performed by Archbishop Cardinal Bourne, and consecrated in 1935. The sanctuary was reordered and a suspended ceiling introduced in the nave by Broadbent, Hastings, Reid & New in 1981.

Hours of Marie de Rieux, The

Hours of Marie de Rieux, The

Hours of Marie de Rieux, The

Hours of Marie de Rieux, The

Talbot Hours, The

Talbot Hours, The

Album amicorum of George Strachan

Album amicorum of George Strachan

Rental Book

Explore Showcase