Church of St Charles Borromeo

Introduction

The Church of St Charles Borromeo in the City of Westminster, within the Archdiocese of Westminster, was built in 1862 by S.J. Nicholl, with the sanctuary by J.F. Bentley.

History

The church is built in a Gothic Early English traditional style with Kentish rag stone covering the eastern and southern sides. In 1861 Cardinal Wiseman sent Father J C Keens to set up a mission in Little Albany Street as part of the parish of St Patrick's, Soho. The church was solemnly opened on Wednesday, 20 May 1863, by Cardinal Wiseman. On 4 October 1921 the church was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Joseph Butt.

The grey stonework was cleaned about 1967 and again in 1979. From 1978 to 1980 the church was again repaired and re-decorated inside and out. Sir George Mivart paid for the Sacred Heart Chapel. The foundation stone was laid on August 22nd, 1862, by Provost (later Cardinal) Manning. In June 1921, Madame Meschini and her son Arturo bought the freehold and presented the land to the diocese of Westminster.

Architecture and furnishings

The High Altar, Reredos, Communion Rail and Chancel Stalls were all designed by J F Bentley, later architect of Westminster Cathedral. The High Altar, in marble and alabaster, was completed in 1873. The Lady Chapel altar frontal was designed by Bentley and completed in 1879. The stained glass windows depict St Thomas and St Cecilia, erected in memory of Thomas Cooke who died on 3 October 1898. The church is constructed of coursed rubble ragstone with ashlar dressings, featuring a simple but muscular Gothic style, plate tracery 2 and 3-light windows, low aisles, and a shallow porch at the south east corner.

Music and liturgy

A Neocatechumenal community was born in this parish in 1978. The parish has eight small Neocatechumenal communities, a charismatic group and an Angolan prayer group. The liturgical signs in the parish were renewed, especially the Eucharistic Table, the Baptismal Font and the disposition of the Assembly. The Font and Eucharistic Table are positioned to show how baptism leads to the Eucharist.