“I have long been concerned that you have had a long way to go to Holy Mass on Sunday.” These are the words of Rev. Hugh Hunt. He spoke of establishing the Chapel of St. Pius X. Today we stand before the Roman Catholic Church of St Pius X. It stands proudly on St Charles Square.
The church has a rich history. It began as a chapel of ease. This was to serve those who lived far from St. Joseph’s. The location was known as The Triangle. The cost of the site was £1,250. St. Joseph’s Mother Church bore this cost. This coincided with its Golden Jubilee.
The chapel was dedicated to St. Pius X. He was known as ‘The Pope of the Holy Eucharist’. The building cost was estimated at £11,000. Rev. Hunt sought contributions from the community. He started an outdoor round in the district. This began on February 25th. He asked people to contribute generously each weekend. The Priest accompanied the Collector at infrequent intervals.
Building was hoped to start early in the Jubilee Year. Regular offerings would speed up the work. They would also reduce the cost. St. Joseph’s Church already had commitments. It sent £1,300 yearly to the Bishop. This was for the Schools of the Diocese.
The community’s generosity was vital. It mirrored that of those who built St. Joseph’s. This was in Father Eugene O’Sullivan’s time. The new generation settled in The Triangle Area. They would help with the new project. St. Joseph’s Church supported the project. They looked with pride on the efforts of its children. This new project was in the Jubilee Year.
Rev. Hunt placed the project under God’s Providence. He sought the patronage of God’s Holy Mother. He also sought St. Joseph and St. Pius. He was confident that a special blessing would come. This blessing would be for all who contributed. They would contribute regularly towards the Chapel of St. Pius.
In 1978, the chapel achieved parish status. Fr. John O’Shea became the first Parish Priest.
The Roman Catholic Church of St Pius X is more than bricks and mortar. It is a testament to faith and community spirit. It is a place where people come to understand the enriching messages of eternal hope. These messages are given by Jesus Christ. They are given through His words and deeds.
The Roman Catholic Church of St Pius X welcomes all. It welcomes Christians and those seeking to understand Christianity. It is a friendly Christian community. Here, people join in worship and service to God.
The emphasis is on learning and understanding the Bible. The church encourages following the example of Jesus. They also promote following his followers. The vision of St Pius X is to make an impact for God. It helps people understand the enriching messages of Jesus Christ.
Today, the Roman Catholic Church of St Pius X continues to serve its community. You can find the Roman Catholic Church of St Pius X on the West side of Ladbroke Grove. It is just north of the station and the motorway bridge.
Though weekday Mass is no longer held here, the spirit of St. Pius X lives on. His feast day is August 21st. He was canonized in 1954. He is the patron saint of first communicants. Remember Pope St. Pius X who strengthens the weakest by His divine help.