St Margaret's Convent Chapel, Canning Town

Introduction

The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary founded the Convent in 1897. The chapel, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was added onto the Convent in 1931.

Parish life

The parish describes itself as the Catholic community of Canning Town, North Woolwich and Silvertown. The first parish school was founded in 1870 behind the current parish church on Barking Road. In 1908 an additional school was built on land adjacent to the current convent building. Both St Helen's and St Margaret's schools were destroyed in World War II.

St Bonaventure's School has been rated Outstanding by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate and recognised as one of the happiest schools in Newham by The Sunday Times 2025 report. The parish offers First Holy Communion preparation in two groups: St Helens Group for parish school children and Parish Group for others. The parish has a Parish Sister.

Confirmation preparation is in two parts and the minimum age for confirmation is 15 years. First Holy Communion preparation for children attending non-Catholic schools meets on Saturday mornings in the Parish Centre. The parish provides Anointing of the Sick at church, in hospital, or at home. The parish holds a meeting for engaged couples in October each year.

St Helen's Primary School is the parish school, and St Bonaventure's and St Angela's are the Catholic secondary schools in the deanery. A Requiem Mass may be celebrated either in St Margaret's Church or the Convent Chapel. The Repository shop offers a wide selection of religious books, rosaries, statues, cards, medals and prayer books.

Regular events

ARISE, a group for young adults aged 18 to 35, meets every other Friday in the Parish Centre. Confirmation is celebrated on Pentecost Sunday. First Holy Communion registration for both groups takes place at a meeting in September each year in the Parish Centre.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parishioners can place the ashes of their loved ones in the vault of St Margaret's Church. The parish celebrates a Romanian Mass in the Latin Rite and a Romanian Mass in the Greek Catholic rite at the Convent Chapel. Couples who wish to get married must give at least six months' notice. People wishing to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, who are housebound or in hospital, should contact one of the priests.

The minimum age for children making their First Holy Communion is 7–8 years, Year 3 in school. West Ham Sea Cadets hold their annual general meeting at the parish. The body can rest in the church the night before the funeral if arranged with the undertaker.