Our Lady of the Angels Church, Erith

Our Lady of the Angels Church in Erith is a Roman Catholic parish church in south-east London, standing on the corner of Bexley Road and Carlton Road. Its tall entrance arches and slender bell tower make it one of the most recognisable buildings on the street, and it is the only Catholic church in London run by Capuchin priests.

Who built the church and when?

The current building dates from 1962–63. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Cowderoy on 9 September 1962, and the church opened in December 1963. It was funded and overseen by the Capuchin friars, and the cost is recorded as £45,750. The design is credited to the firm Archard & Partners.

The church is the latest chapter in a much longer story. The Capuchins have been active in Erith since 1867, which means the order has served the local community for well over 150 years.

What is the Capuchin connection?

The Capuchin mission in Erith began in 1867 with Fr Maurice, who first celebrated Mass in a house in Cross Street. He later secured a plot in West Street and built a church dedicated to St Fidelis, along with a small school and a presbytery.

In 1875 the Erith community became a formal Capuchin friary. A large site on the corner of Bexley Road and Carlton Road was bought, and a friary dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels was built there by Fr Bernardine. For decades worship took place in makeshift spaces: a large hall built in the 1920s served as the church, and from 1947 a wing of the friary was used as a chapel until the present church was ready.

What does the building look like?

Heritage assessors describe it as a large brick church of 1962–63 and a fairly conservative one for its date. Rather than following the more experimental styles of the period, it uses a stripped Classical language. Historic England noted that the classical styling of the tall entrance arches and the landmark campanile, the freestanding-style bell tower, are powerful features in the street scene.

The side aisles belong to the original build, even though one survey notes they sit somewhat at odds with the rest of the design.

Why visit?

The church is an interesting example of post-war Catholic architecture in outer London and of a religious order's long local presence. It suits a short stop for anyone exploring Erith, interested in twentieth-century church buildings, or following the history of the Capuchins in England. The exterior, with its arches and tower, can be appreciated from the pavement on Bexley Road.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Our Lady of the Angels Church? In Erith, in the London Borough of Bexley, on the corner of Bexley Road and Carlton Road.

When was it built? Construction took place in 1962–63; the church opened in December 1963.

Who runs the church? Capuchin friars, who have worked in Erith since 1867. It is the only Catholic church in London served by Capuchin priests.

Is the building protected or recognised? Historic England has assessed it and praised the entrance arches and the campanile as strong features of the streetscape.

What was there before the current church? A hall from the 1920s was used for worship, followed from 1947 by a chapel in a wing of the friary.