St. Thomas More is the second Roman Catholic church to be built in Lordship Lane. The first was St. Anthony of Padua.
Historical notes on English Catholic missions, Kelly, Bernard W. (Rev), 1907: Mass was said here in the temporary chapel, Lordship Lane, for the first time on Whit Sunday, June 1, 1879. In 1882 the average attendance at Mass on Sundays was about 200. The number of Catholic children was about 180. Schools for boys and girls were opened in November 1883. The new schools were opened in April 1885, and in May of the same year the new church. The High Mass was sung by the Bishop of Melos. The mission was subsequently taken over by the English Benedictines, who took formal possession of the chapel on Sunday, July 10, 1892.[...]The English Benedictines looked after the church until 1923 when the chapel reverted to the Roman Catholic Diocese (now Archdiocese) of Southwark. After delays caused by World War 1 the site of a new church was acquired and building began later in 1927. The new church was named St Thomas More in 1935. The new church was badly damaged during World War 2 and not restored until 1953. There was no graveyard at St. Thomas More's church. We know of only three Roman Catholic cemeteries in the London area, St. Mary's in Kensal Green, St. Patrick's in Leytonstone, and St. Mary Magdalene in Mortlake. Many local cemeteries may have Roman Catholic sections see https://www.southwark.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriage-civil-partnership-and-citizenship/deaths-funerals-and-cremations/cemeteries-and-crematorium The Roman Catholic Church of St. Thomas More is located in the Anglican ecclesiastical parishan ecclesiastical parish is an administrative area within the Church of England or Roman Catholic church. It is distinct from the civil parish, a local government unit in England of Dulwich St. Clement with St. Peter and very close to the boundary with Dulwich St. Barnabas The Church of St. Thomas More is in the London Borough of Southwark.
Unless otherwise stated the dates for the creation of parishes are taken from Youngs, Frederick. A. Guide to the Administrative Units of England; Royal Historical Society: London, 1979 volume 1 Southern England.
The Southwark Index will show you all the churches and cemeteries we know of in the London Borough of Southwark . If we have missed any or you are looking for a church or graveyard that might no longer exist do please let us know using the email at the bottom of this page If you came to this page from our main index to churchyards If you came from the Southwark page use the button at the top of this page to close the page and go back to the Southwark index. |
LinksParish web siteTaking Stock GEN UKI Wikipedia British History Online Surrey History Centre notes on Roman Catholic Records Catholic Heritage.net Catholic Family History Society Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark contact us: https://surreychurches.org.uk/contact |