Brompton Oratory facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brompton Oratory
Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Facade
51°29′50″N 0°10′11″W / 51.49722°N 0.16972°W / 51.49722; -0.16972
Location	Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 2RP
Country	England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Immaculate Heart of Mary
Consecrated	1884
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Herbert Gribble George Campbell Sherrin E. A. Rickards C. T. G. Formilli Russell Taylor
Style	Italian Baroque
Groundbreaking	1880
Completed	1884
Specifications
Materials	Portland stone
Administration
Parish	Oratory
Deanery	Kensington and Chelsea
Diocese	Westminster
Province	Westminster

The Brompton Oratory, also known as the London Oratory, is a large and beautiful Catholic church in London. It is located in the Brompton area, near Knightsbridge. The church's full name is the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

It is owned by a group of priests called the Oratorians. They live next door and serve the church. The building is considered very important for its architecture. Many people from different countries visit and worship here. The church is also famous for its amazing music. It has three different choirs. The London Oratory School is closely linked to the church. The Oratorians founded the school.

Where is the Church?

The Brompton Oratory is on a main road called the A4. This road is known as Brompton Road in this area. The church is right next to the famous Victoria and Albert Museum. It is a very important spot where several roads meet.

History of the Oratory

How it Started

The Oratory was inspired by an Italian saint named Saint Philip Neri. In 1845, John Henry Newman became a Catholic and later started the Birmingham Oratory. Other former Anglicans, including Frederick William Faber, then started a London Oratory.

In 1852, Faber's followers bought a large piece of land in Brompton. This area was quickly growing into a part of South Kensington. First, they built a house for the Oratorian priests. Then, a temporary church was built. People started raising money in 1874 to build a bigger, permanent church. The new church was officially opened in 1884. The church is still run by the Congregation of the London Oratory.

Modern Times

After World War II, many Polish soldiers and their families came to Britain. South Kensington became a temporary home for many of them. The Brompton Oratory helped the Polish community. From 1945 to 1962, a special Polish Mass was held every Sunday. This continued until the Polish community moved further west in London.

During the Cold War, the front of the Brompton Oratory was used as a secret drop-off point. Spies would leave messages there to communicate with others. In 2010, special banners were put up at the Oratory. They celebrated Cardinal Newman becoming a "Blessed" during the Pope's visit to London.

Church Design and Art

The main hall, called the nave, of the church

A statue of Cardinal Newman outside the church

The Brompton Oratory and, in the background, Holy Trinity Church

A young architect named Herbert Gribble, who was 29, won a competition to design the church in 1869. The first stone was laid in June 1869. The church was finished and opened on April 16, 1884. The outside of the church is made of Portland stone. The dome and ceilings are made of concrete. The dome was made taller in 1869 and now stands about 61 meters (200 feet) high. Before Westminster Cathedral opened in 1903, the Brompton Oratory was the largest Catholic church in London.

The design style is called "Italian Renaissance," but it also has elements of Roman Baroque architecture. Inside, you can see beautiful Devon marble and other rare marbles. There are also detailed carvings in metal, plaster, wood, and stone. The church has old Italian Baroque sculptures. These include The Twelve Apostles by Giuseppe Mazzuoli (1644-1725). The Lady Altar has sculptures by Tommaso Rues. The dome was later redesigned by George Campbell Sherrin and E. A. Rickards in the 1890s. More decorations were added in the 1920s and 1930s. A statue of Cardinal Newman was added in 1896. The church also has beautiful robes for priests and valuable church items. It also has an important library.

Church Community

The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a local parish church. It is part of the Roman Catholic diocese of Westminster. The Oratory Fathers run the parish. It is part of the Kensington and Chelsea area.

Special Events

The church has strong connections with the nearby London Oratory School. Students from the school often attend Mass at the church for important holy days and feast days. The school's yearly festival, celebrating St. Philip Neri, is also held at the Oratory. The Brompton Oratory has one of the largest Catholic groups of worshippers in London.

Church Services

The Oratory is known for celebrating its church services in a very respectful and traditional way. Mass is held every day in Latin. It is celebrated in both the usual way (Ordinary form) and the older, traditional way (Extraordinary form) of the Roman Rite.

Church Choirs

The London Oratory is famous around the world for keeping classic Catholic music traditions alive. Special Latin Masses and evening prayers (Vespers) are held every Sunday and on important holy days. The big services for Christmas, Easter, and Holy Week always attract many people.

To support these services, the Oratory Fathers have created a wonderful music program. It includes three different choirs and professional musicians.

Senior Choir

The London Oratory Choir is a professional adult choir. They sing for the main church services, including solemn Latin Mass and Vespers, every Sunday and on major feast days. This choir started when the London Oratory moved to its current location in 1854. It is England's oldest professional Catholic choir. It is known internationally for its performances of old Renaissance music and Masses by famous classical composers.

Junior Choir

The London Oratory Junior Choir was started in 1973. It gives boys and girls a chance to sing for church services. They sing regularly for an evening service and a Sunday Mass each week. The Junior Choir also performs outside the Oratory. They have sung in major concert halls in London. They have also provided the children's chorus for Royal Ballet shows at the Royal Opera House since 1979. You can also hear them on the soundtracks for the movies Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

Schola Choir

The London Oratory School Schola choir was founded in 1996. Boys from the age of 7 at the London Oratory School receive special training in singing and playing instruments. The Schola is considered one of London's best boys' choirs. They sing at the Saturday evening Mass during school terms. They also sing for daily prayers and blessings in the School chapel. The choir has recorded music for The Lord of the Rings (film series) movie soundtracks.

Church Organ

The Brompton Oratory has a rich history of organ music. The current organ was built between 1952 and 1954. It has 45 stops, 3 keyboards, and pedals. It was designed by Ralph Downes. This organ was the first church organ in London built in a "neo-classical" style. This means it was designed to sound like older, traditional organs.

Famous Weddings and Events

Many important people have been married at the Brompton Oratory. These include members of noble families and famous individuals. For example, John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute, married Gwendoline Fitzalan-Howard here in 1872. Other notable weddings include Alfred Hitchcock, a famous film director, who married Alma Reville in 1926. Race car driver James Hunt married Suzy Miller here in 1974.