A plain modern church stands before us. This is St Vincent’s Catholic Church. It replaced a late nineteenth-century chapel. Some furnishings from that building were incorporated into the new church. Let’s explore its history.
In 1859, St Vincent’s Home for orphaned boys opened. It was part of the Crusade of Rescue. This is now the Catholic Children’s Society. In 1876, Rev Lord Archibald Douglas took care of the home. He moved it to new premises on Harrow Road.
The foundation stone for a French Gothic chapel was laid in 1879. It opened in 1882. Initially, the chapel was dedicated to Our Lady. Later, the dedication included the patron saint of the Home. The architect was John George Hall.
By the 1920s, the chapel was too small. Rebuilding had to wait until 1970. The old buildings were demolished. Services were held in a temporary church. The new complex started construction in May 1973. Cardinal Heenan laid the foundation stone on November 3, 1973. The first Mass in the unfinished St Vincent’s Catholic Church was held on May 13, 1975. Clive Broad was the architect. Truett and Steel were the builders.
To finance the rebuilding, the parish sold some land. This required a compact building. It closely integrates the church, presbytery and social centre. Around 2003, A. Conell oversaw a refurbishment. This included a light shaft. The former hall became a narthex. It has a repository and a new glazed entrance screen. This faces the courtyard creating a new main entrance to St Vincent’s Catholic Church.
The church was built from white concrete blocks. Concrete and steel beams support it. The original plan was oblong. The altar was in the centre of the long east wall. Two spaces were to the west. One could extend the church or the hall.
The exterior consists of blocks of various heights. These distinguish the different functions. The church is the tallest element. It is framed by the presbytery to the south. A single-storey block is to the east. The former hall is to the west. The walls are largely blind. Clerestory windows and a rooflight light the church. The roofs are flat.
The glazed narthex leads into the nave. Ceiling heights differentiate the interior of St Vincent’s Catholic Church. The high nave is flanked by lower aisles. The clerestory windows are higher than the nave ceiling. They connect via fin-like panels. The ceiling light above the sanctuary has a triangular opening. The aisles receive no natural light.
The font is at the west. The tabernacle stand is in the northeast chapel. The altar and lectern are made from pale polished stone. These are part of a set of sanctuary furnishings. An icon-style painting of the crucifixion has replaced the abstract reredos. Stephen Foster designed it. A second lectern and the presidential chair are of timber. Foster also designed these.
At the west end of the north aisle stands a statue of the Virgin and Child. Michael Clarke made it from Clipsham stone. A marble war memorial plaque is set into the north wall. It is dedicated to the boy scouts of the parish. A gilded relief panel depicts the Agnus Dei. It also depicts sheaves of wheat. This is behind the tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Stephen Foster designed it.
The Lady Chapel is at the east end of the south aisle. It features statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette. At the west end of the south aisle is a reconciliation room. It has an etched glass door. This depicts the Holy Spirit and was designed by Stephen Foster. The carved timber Stations may be from the old church. They are now mounted in front of paler timber panels. St Vincent’s Catholic Church stands as a testament to faith. It overcame destruction and adapted to changing needs.