Our History

St Antony’s Church was built in the late 1880s by and for the Franciscan Order, serving what was then, and remains today, a large and vibrant Catholic parish in Forest Gate. Originally, the congregation consisted primarily of Irish immigrants, along with some European Catholics.

The church also served as the provincial house for the Franciscans in England and Scotland. At its height, the friary housed around 50 priests, brothers, and students. These friars not only ministered to the people of Forest Gate, but also travelled to churches across East London and Essex, offering support for Sunday Masses and sacramental ministry when other parishes were in need.

The origins of St Antony’s stretch back to 1873, when the Franciscans from Stratford opened a temporary chapel in Forest Gate to meet the growing needs of the Catholic population. The first permanent section of the church opened on 8 October 1884, and the mission was formally established shortly after.

The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (1831–1875), a renowned architect known for his contributions to Gothic Revival architecture. He was the son of Augustus Pugin, one of the leading figures in the Gothic Revival movement. St Antony’s features many elements of this style, including richly carved stonework and stained-glass windows.

In the early 20th century, new chapels were added to the church:

• The Lady Chapel in 1897, in memory of the Donovan family

• St Joseph’s Chapel in 1902–03

• The Sanctuary with its beautifully carved corbels, added in 1922

  
  

A pipe organ was installed in 1909, and in 1931, the tower and spire were completed as a memorial to the fallen of the First World War. The church was consecrated in 1952, marking a significant moment in its spiritual and communal life.

Our Community:

We’re proud to have one of the largest and most vibrant congregations in the Catholic Diocese of Brentwood. St Antony’s is a truly multicultural parish, bringing together people from over 100 nationalities, united in faith and service.

We are blessed with a strong commitment to Catholic education, with two thriving secondary schools:

• St Bonaventure’s School – 1,400 boys, including a sixth form

• St Angela’s Ursuline School – 1,400 girls, including a sixth form

  
  

We also have St Antony’s Catholic Primary School, serving 450 pupils, located next to the church. Our parish extends its care to Newham General Hospital, where Sister Diana SSJT serves as chaplain, and our community is active in visiting the sick and elderly in their homes on a regular basis.

We are home to several parish groups that support the cultural and spiritual needs of our diverse community. Alongside our ecumenical efforts with other Christian churches in the area, our Faithful Friends Group fosters regular dialogue and collaboration with local Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh faith leaders.

To reflect and honour the diversity of our parish, we offer a variety of cultural liturgies and services throughout the year:

• Tamil Mass – monthly on Sunday

• Spanish (South American) Mass – every Sunday afternoon

• Masses for the Afro-Caribbean, Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Goan communities

• Malayalam Masses – celebrated in both the Syro-Malabar and Malankara rites

  
  

At St Antony’s, we strive to be a parish where every culture, every language, and every person is welcomed and valued, all gathered together in the one Body of Christ.