St Ann’s R C Church

Welcome to St. Ann’s Church, Kingston Hill

Nestled near the beautiful Richmond Park, St. Ann’s Church is truly a gem on Kingston Hill. Surrounded by greenery, it offers a peaceful and serene environment for spiritual growth. Our proximity to local schools, the university, and the availability of ample parking make it a convenient yet special place to worship. St. Ann’s is not just a place of prayer, but a welcoming community where you can meet new people and feel like part of a faith family.

History: St. Ann’s Church in Kingston Hill has a rich history that begins in the 16th century, where travelers to Hampton Court Palace navigated perilous routes through Putney Heath and Kingston Hill, passing sites of historical significance, including the gallows where Catholic martyr William Way was executed in 1588.

By the 19th century, Kingston Hill developed into an area of large estates for London’s professional class, including the boyhood home of John Galsworthy, author of The Forsyte Saga. The proximity of Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park restricted development, but in the 1930s, the Kingston Vale Estate was established, falling under the parish of St. Agatha’s.

With the estate two-and-a-half miles from St. Agatha’s Church and limited public transport, Archbishop Amigo sought a local Mass center. Although initial efforts were thwarted by the outbreak of World War II and planning challenges, a temporary Mass center was established in 1955 at ‘Holmwood,’ the residence of Arnold Brenninkmeyer. For the next two-and-a-half years, Masses were held in the house’s library, accommodating up to 90 people.

In 1958, ‘Coombe Leigh’ was purchased for a new church site, thanks to an anonymous donor. Fr. Cremin, then the parish priest of St. Agatha’s, secured a loan from the Bank of Ireland despite economic challenges, and construction began in January 1960. The church was completed by December of that year, and the first Mass was celebrated on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop Cowderoy officially blessed the church, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Initially served by priests from St. Agatha’s, St. Ann’s became an independent parish in the mid-1960s, despite Fr. Cremin’s objections due to the financial burden on the mother parish. Fr. Joe Sullivan was appointed as the first parish priest of the new parish, which has since been shepherded by a succession of dedicated priests, including Fr. Michael Gwinnell, Fr. Denise Keating OP, and Fr. Michael Sileshi, the current parish priest.

St. Ann’s Church remains a testament to the faith and perseverance of its community, rooted in a history that spans centuries and continues to thrive today.

You are Welcome

Mass Times and Sacraments