“What makes St Francis of Assisi Church in Notting Hill so special?” I ask. Its story is interwoven with faith art and the growth of a community.
St Francis of Assisi Church stands as a testament to Gothic Revival architecture. It is located on Pottery Lane in Notting Hill. The church is a Grade II listed building. It holds a significant place in the area’s history.
In 1857, the Oblates of St Charles Borromeo were founded. Henry Edward Manning started the group. They were Catholic priests serving the local community. Cardinal Wiseman asked Manning to start the mission. From this mission, St Mary of the Angels Church in Bayswater was built. Once that church was done, Manning sent Henry Rawes to start a church on Pottery Lane.
Construction began in 1859 on St Francis of Assisi Church. Henry Rawes paid for the entire building. He was a priest and local superior of the Oblates. Like the previous church, Henry Clutton and John Francis Bentley designed it. Clutton initially designed the church. Bentley supervised the furnishings. The church opened on 2 February 1860.
Soon, St Francis of Assisi Church needed more space. From 1861, Bentley designed extensions. This marked his first independent architectural commission. A presbytery, baptistry and porch were added. In March 1861, the St John side altar was built. Bentley and Nathaniel Westlake designed it. In 1863, additions included the lady chapel altar, high altar, reredos, reliquaries and confessional. In 1864, the porch and chancel were renovated. Bentley donated furnishings in 1865. These included a baptismal font cover a monstrance candlesticks and vestments. Between 1865 and 1870, the stations of the cross were constructed. Westlake designed them.
Bentley converted to Catholicism in 1862. He later designed many churches including Westminster Cathedral. Historic England notes Bentley was likely the first person baptized in the font he designed. He took Francis as his middle name after the church’s dedication.
In 1882, a dais was built over the baptistry. The presbytery was extended. From 1907 to 1913, Osmond Bentley worked on the church. He worked on the baptistry and added grilles and doors. He also worked on the lady chapel. Frederick Walters added the piscina in the sanctuary in 1917. The church was redecorated in 1926 and 1960.
In 1982, the primary school became the parish hall. Bishop David Konstant opened the hall on 4 October 1982. He also blessed a statue of St Francis of Assisi by Arthur Fleischmann. The altar rails were removed in 1983-1984. The altar was moved forward. In 2008, a new stained-glass window was added. Benjamin Finn designed it. Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor blessed it. The stonework, floor and artwork around the sanctuary were repaired in 2010.
Today, St Francis of Assisi Church continues to serve its community. Its rich history and beautiful design make it a special place. Its story reminds us of faith dedication and the growth of Notting Hill.