Cardinal leads anniversary celebrations at west London church

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor has celebrated a special Mass to mark the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Catholic church of St Peter and St Paul, Northfields, west London. During the special Mass on Sunday,2 July, the Cardinal blessed three new stained glass windows. They depict St Peter, St Paul and the of the Holy Spirit. The stained glass was designed and manufactured by John Corley using handblown antique coloured glass painted, kiln fired and then leaded. In his homily, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor paid tribute to the work of Parish Priest Fr Tom Quinn in fostering an extremely active and prayerful parish and praised the beauty of the recently renovated church. The church of St Peter and St Paul began in a metal and wooden hall in 1922 and was then part of the parish of Hanwell. In 1926, Northfields became an independent Parish. The foundation stone of the present church was laid in January 1931 by Fr John Cohen, and the church was opened six months later in July 1931. In September 1997, Fr Tom Quinn was appointed Parish Priest and since then the Church has undergone major renovation and redecoration including the cleaning of the brickwork and the installation of new lighting. In recent years, the Parish has seen considerable growth. Sunday Mass attendance is now over 1,400. The Parish has over 50 Parish Ministries, groups and organisations which range from Baptism and Marriage Preparation to a Bridge Club, History Group and a Youth Club. Fr Tom Quinn said: "Our 75th Jubilee celebration is a time for us to thank and pray for those priests and people who over the last 75 years have left the parish of St Peter and St Paul such a rich inheritance. I hope that our Parish will continue to grow and develop in the years to come under the watchful guidance of St Peter and St Paul." Source: Archbishop's House