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/152
Title	Parsons Green, Holy Cross
Level	Series
Description	The beginnings of a Catholic parish in Parsons Green were in 1842 when a Mass centre and school for girls and infants was established in Parsons Green Lane. Between 1848 and 1884, a growing number of immigrants arrived from Ireland, many to work in the local market gardens which then characterised the area. Mass was celebrated occasionally in the room of a house at the bottom of Crown Street, opposite the current location of Parsons Green Tube Station. This mission was served from the parishes of Brook Green, Hammersmith, and St Thomas of Canterbury, Fulham. In June 1884, a school was formally opened by Cardinal Manning in Cassingley Road (now Ashington Road) for the children of these migrant labourers. The school occupied the upper floor of the building while the ground floor was used as a chapel for both the children and the rest of the local Catholic community. In 1887, the growing number of pupils at the school meant it could no longer provide space for the chapel. Instead, a temporary iron church was built nearby, which remained in use as a Mass centre until 1924, when the present church of the Holy Cross was built. Mr Edward Eyre funded the building of the new church, and its foundation stone was laid on 19 January 1924 by Bishop Butt. The church was formally opened on 21 December that year by Cardinal Bourne. During World War II, the area around the church was badly bombed, but the church itself survived a direct hit. After the war, the parish decided it would be fitting to re-design the sanctuary area of the church with a new altar to commemorate the dead of World War II and to reflect their hopes for a brighter future. Carrara marble was imported from Italy, and was transported from the London docks by barge to Carrara Wharf near Putney Bridge Tube station. Once unloaded, it was manually carried on the shoulders of the dockers, many of whom were Holy Cross parishioners, in procession to the church and installed. That was the last shipment to arrive at Carrara Wharf before it closed. In the Chapel of Our Lady, mosaics in memory of those who had died in the Great War. A west extension was constructed in 1956.

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