St Clare’s

History

The original St Clare’s was a Parish Hall constructed in 1966 to serve Catholics relocated by the Greater London Council during the 1960s. It unified the congregations from Quarrendon and Elmhurst — some of these original parishioners still remain members of the church, as do their children and grandchildren.

During Father Grace’s tenure in the 1960s and 70s, the hall served multiple functions: used as a church on Sundays with a temporary altar set up every Saturday evening, for dances on Saturday evenings, youth meetings on Friday evenings, and even for Bingo after the 6.30pm Mass.

In the 1980s, a small chapel accommodating approximately 20 people was added for daily Mass, and Bishop Francis Thomas recommended replacing the temporary altar with a permanent sanctuary. However, the building’s condition deteriorated severely over the following years. The roof started leaking over fifteen years ago, and it became a constant battle to keep the place dry, with no sooner one leak being repaired than another appearing.

Serious planning for a new church commenced after Father John’s arrival in 1999, with consultation led by Father Jaismon Francis. Architects Greenhalgh and Williams sought to create a church that was approachable, calm, warm and welcoming, with a monastic feel expressed through modern design. The building prioritised congregation proximity to the sanctuary through a wider rather than deeper seating arrangement accommodating 180 people.

Architectural features include white piers contrasting with rough brickwork, vertically emphasised windows drawing focus toward the crucifix, exposed roof trusses, a golden brick sanctuary backdrop, and soft concealed lighting designed to resemble candlelight.

The new church was blessed and consecrated on 30th November 2005 by Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton. A crucifix was later commissioned through parishioner donations and installed in 2009, sculpted by Annette Mostyn with the cross carved by Terence Hart-Dyke.

Parking & Accessibility

Dedicated car park adjacent to the church. The building has full disabled access with ramps beneath the sanctuary dais.