Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, Westminster

51°30′40″N 0°08′17″W / 51.51123°N 0.13792°W / 51.51123; -0.13792
Location	Soho, Westminster, London
Country	England
Denomination	Catholic
Website	Church of our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory, Westminster
History
Consecrated	24 July 1928
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	24 February 1958
Architect(s)	Joseph Bonomi the Elder
Years built	1789–90
Administration
Diocese	Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory is a Catholic church in Westminster, London. It is located on Warwick Street. This church is the oldest Catholic church in England that has always been Catholic. It was once known as the Royal Bavarian Chapel. This is because it started as a chapel inside a foreign country's embassy. Many Catholic churches in London began this way.

The church was built between 1789 and 1790. It was designed by Joseph Bonomi the Elder. It is the only Catholic chapel from the 1700s still standing in London. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it is very important historically. Today, the church is run by the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. This group helps people who used to be Anglican become Catholic.

History of the Church
Church Exterior
Church Interior
See also

History of the Church

History plaque on the church

The church's story began in the 1730s. At that time, it was a chapel at the Portuguese Embassy. This embassy was located on Golden Square. During this period, strict English Penal Laws were in place. These laws made it difficult for Catholics to practice their faith openly. So, most Catholic chapels were protected inside foreign embassies.

The chapel was officially for embassy staff. However, many Catholics in London used it. It had five chaplains, which was more than the embassy needed. In 1747, the chapel became part of the Bavarian embassy.

Damage and Rebuilding

In 1780, the church's items were destroyed during the Gordon Riots. These riots caused a lot of damage. Count Haslang, from the embassy, asked for £1,300 for the damage. Only the front of the building was structurally harmed.

In 1788, a new church was planned. Joseph Bonomi the Elder, an Italian architect, designed it. He had moved to London in 1767. This new church was meant to be controlled by the main Catholic leader in London. Many important Catholics helped pay for it.

The Elector of Bavaria, Karl Theodor, was happy about the church. He said his chapel helped keep the Catholic faith alive. The Electors of Bavaria continued to donate money until 1871. Until then, prayers were said for the King of Bavaria. The church was still called the Royal Bavarian Chapel. The new church opened in 1790. It was named after St Gregory the Great. This building is mostly the same church you see today.

Later Changes and Famous Visitors

John Francis Bentley later designed new parts for the church. Only some of his plans were built. You can see his work in the Marian side altar. This altar has his first mosaic of a human figure. The main altar area also shows his design. It features the Coronation of the Virgin Mary.

During the abdication crisis in 1936, Queen Mary often prayed here. She prayed in front of a statue of Our Lady of Warwick Street. This statue is a copy of Our Lady from the Rue du Bac. Queen Mary sent flowers to the statue every week until she died.

Many famous Catholics have visited this church. In 1853, a special Mass was held for Queen Maria II da Gloria. This event was even shown in the Illustrated London News. Other notable visitors include Mrs Fitzherbert, who was married to George IV. The young Cardinal Newman also worshipped here. Later, Newman said that if important saints were in London, they would choose Warwick Street over other big churches.

The Irish politician Daniel O'Connell attended regularly when in London. The Victorian explorer, Sir Richard Burton, got married here. The famous novelist Evelyn Waugh had his second wedding at the church in 1937. In 1983, the funeral Mass for actor Ralph Richardson, who was a regular worshipper, was held here.

The Church Today

In 2013, the church was given to the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Since then, Msgr Keith Newton has lived at the church's house. The church has also brought back its choir tradition. They perform a wide range of music, from early 20th-century Anglican music to pieces by Mozart.

Church Exterior

The outside of the church is made of plain brick. It was stained red in 1952. The brick front was made to look simple on purpose. This was done after the earlier chapel was destroyed. The golden stars and angels you see on the front today were added in the 1950s. The building has three sections and two levels.

Church Interior

Inside the church

The inside of the church still has some of its original Georgian style. However, it was updated in the Victorian period. The first changes were made in 1853 by John Erlam. During this time, a bas-relief (a type of sculpture) of the Assumption was placed above the altar. This sculpture was created by John Edward Carew.

A second round of updates happened starting in 1874. These were led by John Francis Bentley. He was also the architect for Westminster Cathedral.

Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory facts for kids

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