| Description | The Oblates of St Charles began their missionary work in Kensal New Town in 1858. Father Francis Kirk, OSC, undertook responsibility for the spiritual wellbeing of the people.
In 1862 a small two-roomed cottage in Kensal Road provided the Catholic population with a meeting place for the adult population. During the day the rooms were used as class-rooms and the wash house at the back was adapted for the use of babies while their mothers went to work.
Mass was celebrated at a later date every Sunday and on Holydays in a three storey corner house. The inner room of what was to be a baker's shop served as a sanctuary and the shop area was furnished with benches. An altar rail stretched across the entire space. The Blessed Sacrament was not reserved as there was no resident Priest. The chapel held ninety people comfortably. During the week the upper floor became a schoolroom.
In 1872 Father Kirk bought a suitable site in Bosworth Road on which he built a Church and School for the growing Catholic population. S. J. Nicholl built a two storey building for use as a Church and School which was opened on 4th November 1872. The ground floor was used as a Church. First floor and crypt were used as a school.
John Francis Bentley was commissioned to design a larger Church. An iron Church was built in Absalom Road, with the help of good friends and partly from the private funds of Father Karslake OSC in 1873.
The Deputy Superintendent Registrar of the District of Kensington, wrote that "the Church of Our Lady of the Holy Souls was recorded by the Registrar General on the 17th November 1880 as a Place of Religious Worship. Our Lady of the Holy souls was registered for the Solemnization of Marriages on the 23rd November 1880 and the Certification of the Chapel was advertised."
J. F. Bentley was asked to design a more permanent Church in 1880. The site on the corner of Bosworth Road and Hazlewood Crescent was chosen. The foundation Stone was laid by Cardinal Manning on the 24th May 1881 and the Church was solemnly opened and blessed by him on 13th April 1882. The cost of erecting the Church came to £5,059.0.0.
The Church is in the vicinity of the Roman Catholic Cemetery of St Mary's, Kensal Green, which explains the dedication of the Church. |