The Priory has long closed (the nuns have established a new community at Kingsland, Sayers Common). This fine chapel now has a floor inserted and the upper storey is now a restaurant.
The foundation stone was laid on 5th May 1890 by the Rt. Rev. John Butt, Bishop of Southwark and opened by the same on June 18th 1891.
The building was consecrated in 1897 by the Cardinal-Archbishop of Westminster.
The red brick Gothic building had fittings of oak and the altar space was divided from the south transept (for the use of the public) by alight iron screen. The roof carried a bell turret and on the western gable, visible in the picture, is a statue of St Augustine of Hippo (354-430).
During the early 20th century, the accommodation in the transcept was no longer sufficient for the needs of the Roman Catholic community, and so a new church was planned, a fund for this purpose being opened in May 1917. The new church, St Paul's, was built on land donated by the nuns of the priory.
There is an old photograph of this building when it was still a priory in my Postcard Album.
Digital photograph
Visitors to this album since June 2003
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