Perhaps you didn’t know Ealing Abbey started as a small mission. It grew into the significant Benedictine monastery we see today. Founded in 1897, Ealing Abbey is part of the English Benedictine Congregation. Cardinal Herbert Vaughan wanted monks to sing liturgy at Westminster Cathedral. This led to Downside Abbey establishing a priory in Ealing.
Ealing Abbey’s history involves prayer and work. Monks follow the Rule of St Benedict. They balance prayer and work. Ealing’s urban monks actively engage in local life. This is combined with withdrawal from the world. This helps monks focus on their search for God.
The Abbey Church’s architect was F A Walters. The church shows Perpendicular Gothic style. Construction occurred in stages. Two or three nave bays opened by 1899. The sanctuary and Lady Chapel were complete by 1915. Edward John Walters completed the west end in 1934. He was F A Walters’ son.
World War II damaged Ealing Abbey. Bombs destroyed the organ chamber and east end in 1940. Restoration started in 1957. Stanley Kerr Bate enlarged the church. William Whitfield designed the Monks Choir and Lady Chapel in 1996-98.
Look up to see the hammerbeam nave roof. It features painted decorations. See the monograms IHC and SB for Saint Benedict. The west window depicts the Coronation of the Virgin. Burlison and Grylls created it. Ninian Comper and William Bucknall designed the south transept window. It serves as a war memorial. It shows a beardless Risen Christ with Saints.
Ealing Abbey runs a major parish. The Abbey Church of Saint Benedict hosts parish and monastic liturgies. The Ealing Abbey Choir sings at Sunday Conventual Mass. It even appeared on the BBC’s Songs of Praise in 2005. The Abbey hosts many music recitals. These include the choirs and the organ.
Hospitality is important here. The monks welcome guests to attend mass and vespers. They offer a house for guests and retreatants.
Ealing Abbey founded St Benedict’s School in 1902. It started as Ealing Priory School. The school is now run by a lay headmaster. The Abbey maintains close ties with St Augustine’s Priory.
The Benedictine Institute operates from Overton House. This Victorian mansion is next to the Abbey. The Institute provides adult education in Liberal Arts and Sacred Liturgy. The St Bede Library houses collections for undergraduate and graduate studies.
Many notable monks have lived at Ealing Abbey. Bernard Orchard was a biblical scholar. David Knowles researched his book The Monastic Order in England here. Cuthbert Butler lived here after retiring as Abbot of Downside. John Main, a proponent of Christian meditation, was also a monk here.
Today Ealing Abbey continues its mission. It serves the community through prayer work and education. Its history reflects dedication to Benedictine values. The monks contribute to the Catholic life in West London and beyond. Remember the Abbey’s journey. It transformed from a small priory to a spiritual center.