Church of St Mary and St Michael, Commercial Road

Introduction

The Church of St Mary and St Michael in Commercial Road, London, was built between 1852 and 1856 by William Wardell. The church is Gothic Revival in the Decorated style. When first built, this was the largest Roman Catholic church in the capital.

History

The church was designed by William Wilkinson Wardell, who later designed St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne and St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. The chancel was altered in 1898 by F.A. Walter. The church was reordered in 1992 by Gerald Goalen.

Architecture and furnishings

The church contains an original altar and reredos of 1856 by Boulton & Swales in the side chapel. The church contains a high altar and reredos of 1911 by R.C. Curtis. The church contains a statue of St Patrick by Theodore Phyffers, c1856. The church is constructed from Kentish rag stone with Bath stone dressings and a Welsh slate roof.

The church has an eleven-bay nave with chancel, side aisles, and side chapel; the tower with spire was never built. A five-light traceried window at the liturgical west end sits over an arched door, flanked by buttresses capped with statues of St Mary and St Michael. Above the west window is a statue-filled niche, and the gable apexes carry cross finials. The side aisles end in three-light Decorated tracery windows, and the chancel has a large traceried window. The church has alabaster communion rails.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The parish prays for all who have died and for those whose anniversaries occur about this time. The parish has a Confirmation Form available for download.