St Mary Magdalen's

Introduction

Cardinal Hinsley laid the Foundation Stone on 2nd October 1938. Firebombs landed on the roof of the church during the war but did nothing on the concrete.

Architecture and furnishings

The concrete roof was to have been laid in one piece but was interrupted by heavy rain and leaked in later years. The old canvas Stations of the Cross were replaced by a hand carved wooden set from the Tirol.

In 1971 coloured glass windows were installed, the most effective being behind the organ loft. The parallel statues of Saint Mary Magdalen and the Sacred Heart were placed in position, each under a miniature baldacchino.

The Lady Chapel had damage through extensive water entry from both the roof and windows, and roots from a neighbouring tree had disturbed the altar steps and the floor marbles. The church was opened on 9th May, still dedicated to Our Lady of Compassion.

A lining of insulating material was added to the concrete ceiling to cut down heat loss. The marble surround was fitted to the sanctuary.

New benches were purpose-made by a local firm, replacing old ones from the former Our Lady of Compassion church. A permanent font was commissioned to stand in the Sanctuary, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the laying of the Foundation Stone. A faithful group in the parish says the Holy Rosary daily after the morning Mass, excluding Sundays.

Parish life

From 1947 dates the foundation of the Scout Group, with Father B. Connaughton as scoutmaster. In 1948 a Council of the Knights of Saint Columba was set up, and the Union of Catholic Mothers was introduced at the insistence of Sister Catherine, SVP.

The parish's Special Needs Group supports families with special needs members and local care homes, with social activities each summer and at Christmas. On the first weekend of every month, the parish collects grocery items to stock the Food Bank at Newman Catholic College. A Tuesday Coffee Morning is served after morning Mass as an opportunity to meet fellow parishioners.

In 1911 the parishioners' unfailing attendance at a Mission preached by Father George Nicholson CSSR was a deep gratification to the missioner and the clergy. The Church requires at least six months notice of intention to marry and every engaged couple to attend a marriage preparation course.

Notable people and events

Father George Cologan, Rector of Our Lady of Willesden, said what was probably the first Mass ever in Willesden Green on 11th August 1901. In August 1943 Father Fitzgerald was transferred to Commercial Road.