Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead

Introduction

Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead, in the Diocese of Brentwood, opened on 13 October 1928, after its foundation stone was blessed in July 1927.

Architecture and furnishings

The first Parish Priest, appointed on 4 August 1919, purchased a market garden in Cambridge Park for a permanent church. The east aisle was opened in 1934 and the west aisle was opened on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1940. The new Pastoral Centre at Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead opened in September 2002. Some months after opening, the altar was consecrated and the Stations of the Cross, painted by the father of the parish priest, were blessed.

Parish life

The parish has supported CAFOD's work for a number of years. The current CAFOD project is Connect:2 El Salvador, helping communities in El Salvador. The St Vincent de Paul group helps anyone in need locally through visiting and befriending, working alongside other conferences within Essex and London.

The parish runs a Journey of Faith (RCIA) process for those interested in becoming Catholic or receiving Confirmation. The Pastoral Council supports the Parish Priest in meeting the pastoral needs of a large and diverse parish. The Parish Council assists the Parish Priest in planning, organising and reviewing the mission of the parish, relating to five pastoral pillars of hospitality, prayer, formation, generosity, and evangelisation. Visitors will find no facilities to play recorded or downloaded music in the church.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Baptism formation is offered three times during the school year. Holy Communion formation is for children beginning Year 4 in September 2026 who are resident in the parish.

Couples must give six months notice of intention to marry at the parish. At least one partner must be a baptised Catholic and resident in the parish to marry there. Couples prepare for marriage by attending a Marriage Care preparation course. Parishioners preparing for serious surgery or suffering serious illness are asked to contact the parish office for the Sacrament of the Sick.