ROMAN CATHOLICISM.
There were no
papists in Willesden c. 1641 or c. 1714, (fn. 74) and in
spite of the early Irish immigration Roman
Catholic churches and convents were not established until the late 19th century. That may have
been because there were particularly active
centres just over the border, for example at Quex
Road. A church and convent were established at
Harlesden in the 1880s, and the introduction of
annual processions to the shrine of Our Lady of
Willesden in 1903 provoked attacks by Protestants. (fn. 75) A church and two convents were opened
at Willesden Green in the 1900s and a church and
hospital (St. Andrew's) at Dollis Hill at the time
of the First World War. There was a mission at
Brondesbury by 1920 and there were churches
at Stonebridge in 1926 and Kilburn in 1948;
another convent opened at Willesden Green in
1928. Most convents have been small ones,
opened in the 1960s and 1970s in newer areas like
Cricklewood, although a convent and church
opened in Kensal Rise in 1977. The movement to
Cricklewood reflects the general movement of
the Irish north from Kilburn. The drop in the
attendance figures of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary at Kilburn from 1961 to 1978 is explained
by the replacement of Irish by West Indian and
Indian immigrants. (fn. 76) Individual churches and
convents are described below. (fn. 77)
Our Lady of Willesden originated in services
held in private house in Tubbs Rd., Harlesden,
1885. Iron chapel in Manor Park Rd. 1886.
Attendance 1903: 354 a.m.; 106 p.m. Replaced by
church of Italian terracotta in Romanesque style
in Crownhill Rd. 1907, seating 200. Became
part of Jesus and Mary convent on building of
red brick church with companile in modern
Romanesque style at junction of Acton Lane and
Nicoll Rd. 1930 by Wilfred C. Mangan. Wooden
statue of Our Lady given by Cardinal Vaughan,
object of attempt to revive pre-Reformation cult
of Our Lady of Willesden. (fn. 78)
St. Catherine's chapel of ease, no. 59 Chaplin
Rd., Willesden Green, registered 1902. Replaced
1905 by chapel at no. 28 Park Ave., 1908 by Our
Lady of Compassion, Linacre Rd., and 1939 by
St. Mary Magdalen, brick church in Harlesden
Rd. Close connexions with Polish Jesuits of
House of Our Lady (q.v.). Masses in Polish. (fn. 79)
St. Mary and St. Andrew built 1915 in Dollis
Hill Lane and replaced 1933 by brown brick
church. (fn. 80)
Church of the Five Precious Wounds, Knatchbull Rd., Stonebridge, registered 1926. Replaced
1957 by church in Woodheyes Rd. and 1967 by
brick church seating 400 in Brentfield Rd. (fn. 81)
Oblates of St. Mary Immaculate opened
church of Immaculate Heart of Mary as chapel of
ease to Sacred Heart of Jesus, Quex Rd. (Hampstead), 1948 in former Methodist chapel in
Stafford Rd. (Percy Rd.), Kilburn. Average
attendance at mass 1961: 3,900; 1978: c. 1,200. (fn. 82)
Church of the Transfiguration opened in
former Methodist chapel 1977 in Chamberlayne
Rd., Kensal Rise. Red-brick building altered to
seat 1,100. (fn. 83)
The Catholic Missionary Society ran a mission
ho. c. 1920-c. 1940 at Restormel, Brondesbury
Park.
The Congregation of Jesus and Mary opened
convents 1886 in Crownhill Rd., Harlesden, c.
1908 in Park Ave., Willesden Green, (fn. 84) and 1977
at 58 Wrentham Ave., Kensal Rise. (fn. 85)
The Religious Society of Marie Réparatrice
flourished c. 1900 at Sharstead, Donnington Rd.,
Willesden Green, but had gone by 1920.
The Little Company of Mary or Sisters of
Mercy ran St. Andrew's hospital 1913-73 in
Dollis Hill Lane. (fn. 86)
A small community of the Daughters of Charity
of St. Vincent de Paul was established 1928 in St.
Paul's Ave., Willesden Green. Moved to no. 247
Willesden Lane where hostel opened for working
girls 1932. Bombed 1940 and closed until 1942.
Ran probation hostel for girls 1942-69. Premises
converted into 10 flatlets for unmarried mothers
1970. Contains chapel for public worship. (fn. 87)
Another community of Daughters of Charity of
St. Vincent de Paul 1978 at nos. 72 and 74 Anson
Rd. Cricklewood.
The Canossian Sisters established the Holy
Family convent by 1970 at no. 9 Hillcrest
Gardens, Dollis Hill.
A small convent of the Sisters of the Holy
Family of Bordeaux moved 1974 from Kilburn
(Hampstead) to no. 83 St. Gabriel's Rd., Cricklewood. Private chapel. (fn. 88)
The Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary,
a nursing order, was established 1975 at no. 13
Station Rd. Harlesden. Private chapel. (fn. 89)
The Divine Word Missionaries moved 1975
from Totteridge common to no. 8 Teignmouth
Rd., Cricklewood. Hostel for students training as
overseas missionaries. (fn. 90)
Polish Jesuits opened the House of Our Lady
1959 at no. 182 Walm Lane, Cricklewood, as
centre for pastoral work among Poles in NW.
London. Chapel registered 1962. (fn. 91)
The Hungarian Roman Catholic Chaplaincy
of Our Lady, the administrative office of the
chaplaincy in the United Kingdom, moved from
Kensington 1964 to no. 56 Randall Ave.,
Neasden. (fn. 92)