A Short History of the Parish

The boundaries of the New Parish of St. Augustine's, Harringay were officially defined by his Grace, John Heenan, Archbishop of Westminster, on 9th July, 1964: it was almost entirely set up from a part of the parish of West Green. On 9th September 1964, Father Ronald Shepherd, MA was appointed Administrator of this new parish. How did this parish begin?

In 1926, His Eminence Cardinal Francis Bourne saw the need of a parish in Harringay and told his financial secretary, Mgr. Carton de Wiart, to seek for a site in that district. Unfortunately Mgr. Carton de Wiart was unable to find a suitable site in Harringay, but found one close by, in West Green. So the new parish of West Green began in 1927 and, in fact, was called, in the beginning of its existence, the parish of West Green and Harringay. A resident parish priest, Father Henry Bryant, was nominated in 1937, and developed the parish considerably but he was unable to do much more for Harringay beyond caring for it from West Green.

After the Second World War and its consequent difficulties, a site was sought for, once again, for a Church in Harringay. There were so many good Catholics there, who had to go to West Green for Sunday Mass. At one time, it was thought that Beresford Hall would be a suitable site; but that could not be obtained. Another site, nearer Harringay Arena seemed possible: that suggestion was found to be impracticable. The Minister of the Congregational Church, Allison Road, was approached in 1961 as it was said that he would sell his church soon: he rejected such a suggestion. And then, in answer to prayer and out of the blue, came the news that the Methodist Church in Mattison Road was to be put on the market: the news was mentioned in the Hornsey Journal, in March 1963.

Father R. J. Cuming, parish priest of West Green and of the district of Harringay, immediately contacted the Minister of this Methodist Church, Rev. Mr. Roberts. He welcomed the suggestion that this Methodist Church, which had been used for the Worship of God for some 60 years, should continue to be used in a similar way by Catholics. After some consultations with the parish Committee and the local circuit minister, Rev. Mr. Doidge, the proposition of the sale of this church was put before the National Committee, who eventually agreed to the sale. On May 26th, it seemed certain that this Methodist Church would be able to be purchased. That day being the Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury, it seemed fitting that the new Catholic parish Church of Harringay should be given his name, the name of the Apostle of England.

However, it was not till October 1963, that it was completely settled that this church would be sold to the Catholics of Harringay. On 22nd December Mass was said for the first time in Harringay, in the Methodist church-hall in Mattison Road, by Father Roderick J. Cuming, parish priest of West Green and Harringay District. The chairs had been given by Father de Felice of Golders Green - from the Hall there; the confessional came from the Servite Fathers at Fulham; and the other furnishings came from West Green Parish Church.

Early in December 1963, Father Cuming had asked the Archbishop to send him another priest as priest-in-charge of Harringay District and future parish priest. On 12th January, 1964, Father Ronald Shepherd, MA, was appointed for this position, and said Mass in the Church Hall on the following Sunday: he lived at the Presbytery at West Green.

Let us thank Almighty God for enabling us to obtain a Church for the Catholics of Harringay, and remember in our prayers the persons whom He used to obtain it.