A city set on a hilltop cannot be hid (Matt 5:14) – a light for all to see
Kensington Chapel
Kensington Chapel is accessed directly from the street. Individuals may enter — sometimes out of curiosity, but more often to pray. Frequently, the curious have first paused across the road to take photographs.
Upon entering through the porch, you find yourself facing a high glass security screen, set with the coat of arms of Maria Assumpta Teacher Training College.[2] There is space for a single pew on either side. Such availability during daylight hours is a rare commodity in our security-conscious country and a marked contrast to our childhood. In those days, Catholic churches were open to all, and at school we were taught that it was good practice to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Even in today’s secular age, one may still see individuals crossing themselves as they pass a church.
Times change. The Kensington community, with an average age of 84, has witnessed considerable change. Yet we continue to find new ways of expressing our total commitment to Christ — this remains our mission. Marie Eugénie came to London in 1857 to oversee the foundation. She selected the site — first at Earls Court and then, in 1859, at Kensington Square — and supervised the building plans. It was these plans that gave the chapel its prominent public position.[3] When she consulted Cardinal Wiseman, he asked whether adoration of the Blessed Sacrament might be made publicly available. Thus we began, and thus we continue to this day.
Congregating for Sunday Mass
The chapel is not only for individual prayer. On Sundays and feast days we welcome a congregation, though — with two large parishes on our doorstep — we do not function as a parish ourselves. Today, many London Catholics choose which parish community they wish to support.
People have come to our Sunday Mass because of the reverent celebration of the liturgy and the blessing of good preaching. Expatriates working in London found mutual support here, and over time we became known as a child-friendly community. We are sometimes visited by former members who return with their grown-up children and grandchildren. Today our smaller and older congregation is served by a retired yet energetic Fr Vlad.
Other Groups
While adoration of the Blessed Sacrament remains the thread linking us to our foundation, the chapel has served many different groups over the years. These range from the children of the original boarding schools and other educational initiatives, through the teacher training years (1946–1978), to the Maria Assumpta Pastoral and Educational Centre (from 1978 onwards), which offered residential campus hospitality alongside retreat and conference facilities for external groups.[4]
This changed significantly in 2009, when the English Jesuits purchased approximately two-thirds of the site — stretching from the chapel to the railway — to expand their theological facilities. As a result, the Maria Assumpta Pastoral and Educational Centre closed, and Assumption Kensington relinquished 23 Kensington Square as its address, becoming a smaller entity alongside Heythrop College. Our capacity to host groups was consequently reduced to what could be accommodated within Milleret House. To support this transition, we appointed a lay woman to oversee chapel and conference bookings.
Today we continue to offer more modest hospitality. This is made possible by Pam Charlton, our bookings secretary, and Sister Anna Kristina, our ever-welcoming and available sacristan. Groups using the chapel value the option of reserving the ground floor of Milleret House for fellowship; some use it for day retreats, others as a lecture space.
Caritas Deaf Service — Westminster Diocese
Each Holy Week we welcome the Caritas Deaf group. The liturgies are accompanied by sign language, and those who lip-read are able to follow the clearly proclaimed Scripture readings. Our community appreciates being invited to join these Triduum services. Between liturgies, the group gathers for fellowship in Milleret.
Not all groups require use of Milleret House. One example of a “chapel-only” community is the Antiochene Orthodox group, who do not yet have premises of their own. We are glad to continue this ecumenical outreach. For many years we also hosted the Coptic Orthodox Church until they secured their own church building.
Catholic Society — Imperial College London
We are particularly pleased when young people gather here. During term time, the Imperial College Catholic Society meets once a month for Mass and refreshments. They are accompanied by Sr Carolyn, who serves as a university chaplain in London.
Foremost among our youthful users are our own Assumption Volunteers and Young Adults Group. Our Volunteers’ Coordinator, Anne-Marie Salgo, provides formation and supervision for volunteers serving both at home and abroad. Rebecca de Souza, our Young Adults Coordinator, prepares an annual programme designed to nourish the faith of young adults. Information about events is shared via the website.
On the Feast of the Assumption, for example, young adults gather around the Marian altar at the rear of the chapel to listen to a talk given by Sr Cathy.
London’s multicultural character means that Christian groups of many backgrounds seek places in which to gather. For many years we hosted the Polish community; like the Coptic Orthodox, they have now moved to their own church. We are currently pleased to welcome a group of young Koreans who meet fortnightly for Sunday Mass.
A significant group making use of both the chapel and Milleret House is a community of young professionals known as “The Pure in Heart,” who gather for prayer and fellowship.
We were recently asked about the kinds of groups we are able to receive in the chapel and in Milleret House; this overview offers a sense of our present mission. Like so many others, we were affected by the pandemic, and only three of our pre-pandemic groups continue to meet with us.
Before concluding, it must be said how central the chapel remains to the Kensington Community. Although we have a prayerful oratory on the third floor of Milleret House,[6] the chapel is our primary place of prayer. Here the sisters gather daily; weekday Mass is occasionally celebrated, and most of the Divine Office is prayed in choir. This prayer — often visible through the screen — is itself a quiet witness.
At Assumption Kensington Square, visibility in the public square is not simply an idea; it is a lived reality.
Photos Sr Anna Kristina
Text Sr Mary Anne
