Our Lady of Willesden's

Introduction

The shrine did not return to Willesden until the close of the nineteenth century.

History

A church of St Mary in Willesden is mentioned in a royal charter as early as 939. A Catholic Mission was established in Harlesden in 1885 to meet the demands of the growing Irish population. Throughout 1954 some 60,000 pilgrims visited the shrine. Saint Josemaria Escriva, the Founder of Opus Dei, came to the shrine several times and re-consecrated Opus Dei to the Name of Mary here on 15 August 1958.

The interior has sand faced cement with deep concrete ribs to the nave roof and apse giving a wide span. A new statue was blessed by Cardinal Vaughan in 1892.

Architecture and furnishings

Wilfred C Mangan of Preston designed the church, which was built in 1930. The church is a large brick building in Modern Romanesque style, featuring an apsidal chancel and a small campanile.

Parish life

The parish runs groups for prayer, social action, Sacramental preparation, youth work and the support of others. The Guild of Our Lady of Willesden was announced on 12 May 2002 during the Annual Procession. The Guild's Inaugural Mass was celebrated on 8 December 2002, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, by the local bishop. The Guild's patrons include Our Lady of Willesden, St Joseph, St Michael, St Edward the Confessor, St Thomas of Canterbury, St Thomas More, the Holy Martyrs of London and the city's Guardian Angel. A fully illustrated book titled 'Our Lady of Willesden: A Brief History of the Shrine and Parish' (2002) is available from the parish address.