St. Michael and Our Lady of Lourdes, nestled amidst the bustling streets of Uxbridge, is a beautiful testament to the enduring faith of the local community. You’re standing in front of a church, built in the 1930s, but with a history that reaches back much further. This was once a simple mission, a small gathering of Catholics in a town that had mostly abandoned the faith, a history of persecution and hiding had driven many underground. They built their first church here out of corrugated iron, that flimsy structure dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Michael, a beacon of hope in a community that had forgotten the name of God.
Today, this humble temporary structure has been replaced by a beautiful brick church. It’s a testament to the perseverance of the faith and the dedication of the community that built it. One of the men most responsible for this new church was a priest named Father Thomas Moloney. Father Moloney was deeply religious and dedicated to his parish. He was a man of vision, a man who saw beyond the simple corrugated iron structure and the need for a new, permanent place of worship. He bought the current presbytery and acquired the land next to it, ready to build something magnificent.
The building itself is a blend of Romanesque styles. The church is a beautiful and welcoming space that resonates with the faith it embodies. Inside, the church is a haven of calm and quiet, bathed in warm light pouring through its stained-glass windows. The interior features a mixture of wood block and stone flooring, with high arches and beautifully sculpted crosses.
But this church is not just a beautiful building; it’s a vibrant and welcoming community. People come from all walks of life, a diverse mix of backgrounds and ages. The church is a place where people of all ages can come and find a sense of belonging, where they can share their faith and their lives, a place where they can feel connected to something bigger than themselves. From 150 people in 1907 to many more now, it’s a truly impressive story of how faith can bring people together and empower them to build something beautiful, something that will stand the test of time.