Drawn to this central London parish? Our Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church stands here. It is ready to tell its story. This church has a diverse community. It welcomes established parishioners and young families. It also welcomes visitors to London.
In 1892, Canon Cornelius Keens sought to build a new parish. Cardinal Herbert Vaughan granted him permission. The parish would be in central Chelsea. It was taken from St Mary’s Cadogan Street.
Construction of Our Most Holy Redeemer began in June 1894. Cardinal Vaughan laid the foundation stone. The church opened in October 1895. It stood on the site of William de Morgan’s pottery. Archbishop Bourne consecrated it ten years later. That was on June 21 1905.
Uniquely, this parish has a St Thomas More connection. It is near where he lived. He lived there from 1524 until his execution in 1535. His name was added after his canonization in 1935. The house was renamed Beaufort House. It was acquired by the Cecil family. Allen Hall seminary now stands on part of its grounds. St Thomas worshipped in Chelsea Old Church. He built a chapel there. His first wife Jane was buried there.
Edward Goldie designed Our Most Holy Redeemer. It has been described as Wren style. Others say it is Italian baroque or Renaissance classical. Messrs Goddard built it. They were from Farnham and Dorking. Messrs Duffy laid the floor. It is believed to be Oregon pine.
During the war, the church suffered damage. A direct hit destroyed the organ. It damaged the west window and floor. The crypt was used as an air raid shelter. On September 14 1940 a bomb struck. It killed 19 people sheltering there. This included the air raid warden Bert Thorpe.
Restoration occurred in 1962. Goldie’s side chapels were removed except for two. These were the Lady Altar and St Thomas More’s Altar. Reordering took place between 1970 and 1972. The sanctuary floor was altered. The altar was moved forward. The tabernacle was moved to the side. A new ambo was erected. It was made of Siena marble and verde antico. In 1980 a new baptismal font was added.
In 1990, Father Patrick Nolan commissioned stained glass windows. These depict St Thomas More and St Francis of Assisi. They also depict the risen Lord. Ken Thompson created the Stations of the Cross. They were commissioned by Father Alan Hopes. This commemorated the Jubilee of the Birth of our Lord in 2000.
Many weddings have taken place here. Sean and Eileen O’Casey married here in 1927. David Bruce Huxley and Anna Remsen Schenk married in 1939. Bernard and Gillian Cribbins married in 1955.
Today, Our Most Holy Redeemer continues as a vibrant parish. It offers several Sunday Masses. The choir maintains a high standard of liturgical music. They perform Renaissance polyphony. They also perform classical and modern works. The Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer stands. It is a testament to faith. It is a landmark in Chelsea. It is ready to welcome you.