Parish Profile
Westminster Record February 2011
Our Lady and St Joseph, Hanwell: A parish in the heart of the community By Robert Ewan and Jo Siedlecka You can’t miss Our Lady and St Joseph Church, Hanwell. This modern church is set at the busy crossroads of Uxbridge Road and Church Road and home to more than 1,200 parishioners from over 60 nationalities.
After it was built, the new church was criticised for its dim lighting and severe architectural style. Last year it underwent substantial and imaginative renovations that transformed it into a light and very beautiful building.
There is also a large parish centre adjoining. The Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, opposite with their beautiful garden, also play a leading part in the life of the parish.
The parish priest since 1997 has been Canon Bernard Scholes, who was previously parish priest of Holy Rood Church in Watford. He was assisted until recently by Father Richard Nesbitt, who is now Vocations Director for the Diocese of Westminster.
The first church here, designed by Edward Pugin, was opened in 1853, to serve the Irish labourers who had come over to work on the Great Western Railway. By the 1960s it was far too small. After massive fundraising efforts led by the parish priest at the time, Fr Patrick Murphy, in 1963, the old church was demolished, and the new one built at a cost of £125,000. It was officially consecrated in December 1972. One of the dominating features of the church is the 17-foot crucifix with a seven foot figure of Christ suspended majestically above the altar. Carved in Austria, it was a gift from the patients and staff of St Bernard’s Hospital. A reminder of the old building was retained, with three of its stained glass windows incorporated into the new sacristy. One of these was in memory of Hanwell men killed in the First World War. The tabernacle and altar were donated by St Joseph’s Catholic school. There is a sculpture of the Holy Family above the main doors.
Canon Bernard Scholes
Our Lady and St Joseph’s has a strong Pastoral Council which is responsible, among other things, for the liturgy of the church and encourages many prayer groups. They are also looking into developing the parish youth ministry. Fr Bernard said: “We make sure we always have two people in their early 20s on the council." The parish has strong links with other churches in the area through Churches Together in Hanwell. Among many other things, they collaborate to provide hot meals and support for the homeless. Ealing Hospital is about half a mile from the church. Fr Bernard is on the hospital chaplaincy team there. There are large Knights of St Columba and St Vincent de Paul groups. Hanwell parishioners are great supporters of the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes – last year they had the largest Redcap group on the pilgrimage. Fr Bernard also goes on HCPT each year.
Hanwell’s Our Lady and St Joseph and (inset) new stained glass behind the 17 foot crucifix above the altar The parish is very keen on Justice and Peace. Fr Bernard said. “We have been involved in most CAFOD campaigns, taking part in vigils, signing petitions, selling WOW bags. We are also a fair trade parish. We belong to West London Citizens and are currently campaigning to get a green man crossing on the road here. It is really a dangerous spot. Hardly a Mass goes by without the sound of an ambulance heading for the hospital. Mayor Boris Johnson is coming to see us soon and we hope we can persuade him. ” The Catechetical Co-ordinator is Elizabeth Anderson, who trains the teams of catechists to prepare children and adults for the Sacraments. Elizabeth said that the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace in St Mary's Convent, opposite the church while mostly retired now, are still “a wonderful spiritual presence in the parish.” Their primary school, St Joseph’s, founded over 100 years ago, is flourishing. The Medical Mission Sisters nearby are also active in the parish.
Last year there were three unforgettable events in the life of the parish, Fr Bernard said. First of all, on 19 March, the Feast of St Joseph, Archbishop Vincent Nichols came to celebrate a special Mass for the reopening of the renovated church. “It was a wonderful event,” Fr Bernard recalled. “We’d had months of disruption, dust and a forest of scaffolding. A new window designed by Martin Jarvis, depicting the Resurrection, was unveiled behind the suspended crucifix. It was very striking with wonderful shades and textures. As the window was illuminated the congregation burst onto spontaneous applause.” The next great event came in June, when Canon Bernard celebrated his Golden Anniversary as a priest. Elizabeth said: “It was a most beautiful day with Mass and then a party in the convent garden. Then in July, the parish gathered for the Ordination to the Diaconate of Paulo Bagini, with a Mass and another celebration party. Each year the parish has a large international Mass with a steel band on the Feast of Christ the King.
Sylvia Clayton, who was baptised in 1938, recalls: ”The parish grew on the back of strong Irish and English community, but is now a thriving multicultural community." She added: “There is an excellent community spirit within the parish and you feel part of a happy family”. Canon Bernard says he loves parish life with its real sense of community and it pleases him to see all people working together with a real buzz. Liturgy for him is absolutely crucial. It must never be rushed or skimped, he said. "We must always try to conduct the liturgy with a sense of joy and prayerfulness."
Sunday Mass (Sat 6.30pm) 8, 10, 12noon, 6pm Holy Day Mass (Vigil 6pm) 9.15, 12.15, 7.30pm Weekday Mass 9.15, evening mass as announced, Sat 12.15pm Exposition Sat 5-6pm Confession Sat 11.30-12noon, 5.30-6pm