The Immaculate Conception, Farm Street

Introduction

The Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, in Mayfair, opened its doors in 1849 as the Jesuits' flagship city centre London church. The church was built 1844-49 by J J Scoles in Decorated Gothic style.

History

In the 1840s the Jesuits found the site in a quiet back street, the name derived from Hay Hill Farm. From 1849 until 1966 the church was not a parish but the Jesuit Church in central London, specializing in preaching, pastoral care, patronage of the arts and a place of refuge. Since 1966 the church has also been a parish of the Diocese of Westminster.

Architecture and furnishings

The interior has red polished granite clustered columns to the nave arcade. The west front was redesigned in 1951 by Adrian Gilbert Scott, with a new west window by Evie Hone. The high altar was by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. Several side altars, some by A E Purdie, with contemporary sculpture, metalwork, paintings, mosaic and stained glass.

The church is constructed of coursed rubble with fine dressings, featuring a south entrance front with a gable and rose window. The Mount Street Jesuit Centre Young Adult Ministry holds a weekly Mass with an Ignatian twist for young adults aged 18-35.

Parish life

The Farm Street parish Charities Fund supports volunteer-run night shelters in London, the Jesuit Refugee Service, Catholic schools in Pakistan, and the Amelie and Daniel Lindsay Foundation. Farm Street supports Caritas and Justice and Peace in the Diocese through prayer, awareness raising and funds, with priorities including food poverty, human trafficking and ecological concerns.

The LGBT+ Catholics Westminster Pastoral Council was mandated in 2013 to promote pastoral support for LGBT+ Catholics, their parents and families. Farm Street Church has been involved in the synodal process right from its commencement, with listening days and a consultive process held at the church.

Farm Street is the parish base for the LGBT Catholics Westminster community of the Diocese. Farm Street is in partnership with the London Jesuit Centre, a major centre of adult Christian formation offering events, courses, retreats, spiritual direction and training in spiritual accompaniment.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Children receiving Holy Communion for the first time go through preparation annually. Preparation for Confirmation takes place regularly for both teenagers and adults.

The parish team at Farm Street offers pastoral care. CLCC operates in the Arrupe Hall at 114 Mount Street, providing a cooked lunch for the homeless on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Farm Street supports the work of ACN through prayer, raising awareness and fundraising. Introductory courses in the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius are offered during the year as an opportunity to make a guided retreat.

Visiting

The church is accessible through the main entrance on Farm Street and also through a minor entrance from Mount Street Gardens. The church lies between Bond Street and Green Park Underground stations, each a 10-minute walk away.