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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/79
Title	Harrow Road, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Vincent de Paul
Level	Series
Description	The site of the parish church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Vincent de Paul was acquired in 1876 by Rev Lord Archibald Douglas, running from Harrow Road through to Woodfield Road. The purpose was to build St Vincent's Home for destitute children, with a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1893, the chapel was formally opened by Cardinal Vaughan to the public as a Mission Church. In 1912, St Vincent's Boys Home was closed and the building became the presbytery for Fr Vincent MaGrath, who became the first parish priest, while the chapel became the parish church for Harrow Road. In 1934, Fr M'Grath died and was succeeded by Fr George Perkes. Fr Perkes remained parish priest until his death on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1967. In 1967, Fr Gerard Strain was appointed as parish priest and was asked to find an alternative site to accommodate the growing congregation in the parish. However, as this proved unfeasible, the decision was taken in 1972-1973 to demolish all the existing buildings on the site and build a new church, presbytery and social centre. The new church of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Vincent de Paul was built in accordance with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, and was opened in 1975. Fr Strain died in September 1980 and was replaced by Fr Frank Leonard, who was parish priest until May 1988. Fr Des Mullin succeeded Fr Leonard as parish priest but died unexpectedly of a heart attack in August, 3 months after taking on the post. He was succeeded in October 1988 by Fr John Buckley.

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