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/57
Title	French Church, Notre Dame de France
Level	Series
Description	Cardinal Wiseman conceived the idea of a mission amongst the neglected 'lower-class' French of London. He called on the Marists to begin this work. Father Charles Faure was designated by the Superior-General of the order to start working on the proposed task. He went to beg for the necessary funds in France, in religious circles and beyond. Empress Eugénie, made a gift of 50 000 Francs. With the money collected, he purchased the 'Panorama' of Burford, which was the forerunner of the cinema in the shape of a rotunda, which accounts for the circular shape of the present church. This first church, all in iron, became one of the architectural conversation-pieces of London. Apart from the church, the mission also consisted of a little hospital, an orphanage and a school run by the sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul. The church was partly destroyed by bombing in November 1940. In September 1948, the newly-appointed Superior of Notre Dame de France, Father Deguerry, decided on the reconstruction of the church. He received the backing of the French ambassador, René Massigli, who obtained, as a special favour, an exceptional permit for reconstruction from Anthony Eden. The first stone of the new construction was laid by Maurice Schumann on 31st May 1953 and the official inauguration took place on 6th October 1955, presided over by Cardinal Feltin, Archbishop of Paris. When the Marists left Notre Dame de France in the eighties, the running of the parish was entrusted to the Chaplaincy for French expatriates. The Marists returned in 1992.

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Album amicorum of George Strachan

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Holy Oil holders

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Talbot Hours, The

Album amicorum of George Strachan

Album amicorum of George Strachan

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