Our Lady of Victories, Kensington

Introduction

Our Lady of Victories in Kensington, London, is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Archdiocese of Westminster, built in 1957 to designs by Adrian Gilbert Scott with a 1930s entrance screen by Joseph Goldie.

History

The mission started in 1794 when Abbé Charles de Broglie opened a school for sons of exiled French noblemen at Kensington House. A new chapel was built in Holland Street in 1812 and enlarged in the 1830s. On 30 September 1957 the extensive crypt was opened for services. In 1970-71, Archard and Partners designed additions to the church, including a new hall in the crypt, ground floor sacristies and a flat for the Sacristan.

Reordering was carried out c1990, with the installation of a new timber reredos by Ormesby of Scarisbrick and the placing of the tabernacle on a plinth from the previous church which had survived the bombing raid. In 1966, the side chapels were provided with metal screens and gates, and decorations were added. The church was consecrated in 1971. Married couples from the parish community lead three evening sessions accompanying those preparing for marriage in the church.

Architecture and furnishings

The walls are faced in brick laid in English bond, with some Portland stone details; only the west front is clad in dark facing brick, while the side elevations were finished in pale bricks. The plan is rectangular, consisting of a five-bay nave with aisles, rectangular sanctuary flanked by side chapels. The west front takes the form of a wide tower, relieved by an ornate entrance ensemble with a pointed arched opening, a two-tier raking Perpendicular panelled arcade and a canopied recess holding a statue of Our Lady of Victories.

The interior has a lofty nave of five bays, with a west gallery but without a narthex. The sanctuary is rectangular, reached by five segmental steps and separated from the nave by a pointed arch. The church has fourteen stained glass windows by Charles Blakeman, made between 1959 and 1961. On the street frontage is the 1930s entrance screen by the architect Joseph Goldie, of brick and Portland stone in the form of a pedimented gateway with a four-centred arched opening surmounted by a statue of the Madonna.

The Lady Chapel has a marble altar, with a carved and painted reredos containing a statue of Our Lady of Victories. The Sacred Heart Chapel contains a plain stone altar and a statue of the Sacred Heart on a wall-mounted marble surround. The baptismal font is of stone, with linear detailing painted in gold and a carved oak cover. There are conventional statues of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Joseph by Mayer of Munich.

The gallery contains a large organ. The windows are leaded and stained, by Charles F Blakeman, depicting a variety of Biblical scenes and saints.

Regular events

Children attending non-Catholic schools join a pre-sacramental class for a year in Year 2 before the sacramental programme year. The sacramental programme is called I BELONG and is based on everyday experiences, exploring themes connected with the Mass.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Couples are asked by the parish clergy to give six months notice before their wedding date. The parish holds monthly baptism preparation classes for parents and godparents, lasting about an hour and a half. The celebration of infants' and children's baptism is usually on a Saturday afternoon. The parish runs groups for prayer, social action, Sacramental preparation, youth work, and mutual support.