Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer and St Thomas More, Chelsea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer and St Thomas More
View from corner of Upper Cheyne Row and Cheyne Row
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OS grid reference	TQ2717177759
Location	Chelsea, London
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	HolyRedeemerChelsea.co.uk
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Christ the Redeemer Thomas More
Consecrated	21 June 1905
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	7 November 1984
Architect(s)	Edward Goldie
Style	Renaissance Revival
Groundbreaking	7 June 1894
Completed	23 October 1895
Administration
Deanery	Kensington and Chelsea
Archdiocese	Westminster
Province	Westminster

The Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer and St Thomas More, often called Holy Redeemer Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Chelsea, London. It's a special place where people gather for worship. This church was built a long time ago, in the 1800s, and first opened its doors on 23 October 1895.

The church was designed by an architect named Edward Goldie. You can find it in a lovely spot in London, right on the corner of Upper Cheyne Row and Cheyne Row. It's even next to a famous old house called Carlyle's House. Because of its history and design, the church is a "Grade II listed" building. This means it's considered an important historical place in England.

History of the Church

Building the Church

In the early 1890s, a very important church leader called Cardinal Herbert Vaughan had an idea. He asked a priest named Canon Cornelius James Keens to go to Chelsea. His mission was to start a new Catholic community there.

In 1892, Canon Keens got permission from the Archdiocese of Westminster to build a church. An archdiocese is like a large area managed by a bishop. At first, the church was going to be named the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. The very first stone for the building was laid on 7 June 1894. The church officially opened its doors on 23 October 1895. Later, on 21 June 1905, another important leader, Cardinal Francis Bourne, officially "consecrated" the church. This means he dedicated it to God.

A New Name

The church's name was changed in 1935. This happened after Thomas More became a "saint." When someone becomes a saint, it's called being "canonised." So, the church became known as the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer and St Thomas More.

Repairs and Updates

During the Second World War, in September 1940, the church was sadly damaged by a bomb. Nineteen people lost their lives. The bomb destroyed the church's west wall and its organ. After the war ended, the church was carefully repaired.

More restoration work happened in 1962. Then, from 1970 to 1972, the church was updated inside. The floor in the chancel (the area around the altar) was redone. This allowed the altar to be moved closer to the people attending church. A special marble ambo was also added. An ambo is a raised stand where readings are given. In 1980, a new font was installed to match the ambo. A font is a basin used for baptisms. The beautiful Stations of the Cross were created by an Irish sculptor named Ken Thompson. These were put in place for the Millennium celebrations.

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  Cheyne Row

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  Sanctuary

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  Stations of the Cross

Weddings at the Church

Many people have chosen to get married at the Holy Redeemer Church over the years. Here are a few notable weddings:

• Sean and Eileen O'Casey on 23 September 1927
• David Bruce Huxley and Anna Remsen Schenk on 27 June 1939
• Anna del Conte and Oliver Waley on 5 October 1950
• Bernard and Gillian Cribbins on 27 August 1955
• Hugh James Arbuthnott to Vanessa Dyer in 1964

Church Services

The church holds several Masses (church services) every week.

• On Saturdays, there is one Mass at 6:30 PM.
• On Sundays, there are four Masses: at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:15 PM, and 6:30 PM.
• During the week, from Monday to Friday, there is a Mass every morning at 8:00 AM.

Exterior Views

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  Church entrance

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  Church sign

See also

• Allen Hall Seminary
• Redemptoris Mater House of Formation