Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead

Our Lady of Lourdes church is the Catholic parish church for Wanstead in the London Borough of Redbridge and parts of Leytonstone in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is part of the Diocese of Brentwood. The parish priest is Canon Patrick Sammon.[1]

Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead
The Parish Church of Our Lady Of Lourdes, Wanstead
Our Lady of Lourdes Church viewed from the front
Location51 Cambridge Park, Wanstead, London E11 2PR
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationCatholic
Websitewww.ourladyoflourdeswanstead.com
History
Founded1919 (parish); 1928 (church building)
DedicationOur Lady of Lourdes
Administration
ParishWanstead
DeaneryRedbridge
DioceseBrentwood
Clergy
Priest(s)Canon Patrick J. Sammon, Fr Adrian Lowe

History

A mass centre was opened in Wanstead in 1910 by the parish priest of Walthamstow. In 1918 it was transferred to the hall of the newly opened St. Joseph's convent school, Cambridge Park. Wanstead became a separate parish in 1919, and the church was opened in 1928, and completed in 1934–39.

The first parish priest, Canon Basil Booker, was appointed on 4 August 1919. The second parish priest, Canon James Hemming, was appointed in 1952. In 1970, a new parish priest was appointed, Mgr Christopher Creede.

After 30 years as parish priest, Mgr Creede retired on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes 11 February 2000 and Fr Patrick Sammon arrived to become the fourth parish priest.

Architecture

The church was built in the Neo-Gothic style. The church exterior is of red brick with cream stone edgings. Inside, the plan is that of a nave and two aisles on either side. At the back, over the entrance, there is the choir balcony, on which a new organ has been constructed. The interior walls are simply whitewashed, excluding the stonework. Behind the altar is an elaborate stone gothic altarpiece.

Exterior seen from Cambridge Park

Two stained glass windows are on the left aisle. In 2019 new hand-painted Stations of the Cross were commissioned and installed.

References
  1. "Our Lady Of Lourdes, Wanstead". Catholic Directory UK and Ireland. Retrieved 18 January 2016.

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