Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Heston facts for kids
Our Lady Queen of Apostles is a Catholic church located in Heston, a town in the London Borough of Hounslow. You can find it between The Green and Heston Road, right across from Rosary Catholic Primary School. This church was built in the early 1960s and features beautiful stained glass windows designed by Pierre Fourmaintraux. The area around the church is special because it's a local conservation area, meaning it's protected for its historical or architectural importance.
Contents
History of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church
Early Beginnings and Growth
The Catholic community in Heston first had a small church that was looked after by a group called the White Fathers. They started the local church community, known as a parish, in 1928. The original church building was constructed in 1929.
However, as more people moved to Heston, the community grew, and the small church became too crowded. In the 1960s, the White Fathers handed over the care of the parish to the Archdiocese of Westminster, which is like the main office for Catholic churches in that part of London.
Building the New Church
Because the old church was too small, a new, larger one was needed. The new church was built on land that used to belong to another group of religious sisters called the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa.
The first stone for the new church was laid on July 13, 1963. The church officially opened its doors in 1964. It was designed by a company called Burles, Newton & Partners. They also designed another church, St Francis de Sales Church, in a nearby area.
The new church cost about £42,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! It was designed to hold between 450 and 500 people. The church was officially dedicated in a special ceremony on May 19, 1974.
Serving the Community Today
On October 1, 2017, a new group of priests, called the Vocationist Fathers, came to the parish. They have been serving the community at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church ever since.
The Parish Community
Rosary Catholic Primary School
The church has a close connection with Rosary Catholic Primary School. This school was built in 1972 and continues to work together with the church to support the local community and its families.
See also
- Archdiocese of Westminster
External links
