School & Parish History

Parish History

Catholics have worshipped in Petts Wood since 1937 in a variety of venues and the first was in the Daylight Inn, Station Square. The first Mass was celebrated there on 24th October 1937. Petts Wood at the time came under the pastoral care of Holy Innocents, Orpington.

As numbers increased, a small building was constructed on Lakeswood Road. It was places under the patronage of St James the Great and saw the celebration of its first Mass on 23rd July 1939.

In 1941, Fr Hubert Simes, Assistant Priest at Orpington, was given charge of the church at Petts Wood. In 1942, the care of Petts Wood was transferred to the parish of Chislehurst and the site of the school was secured. In 1944, 283 Crescent Drive was purchased as a Presbytery.

In 1946, Fr Cyril Scarborough became the first resident Parish Priest and he was succeeded by Fr John Wright in 1956.

In 1963, Archbishop Cowderoy laid the foundation stone for the current church and in 1964 it was opened for regular worship with the old building becoming the social centre. In 1970, nearly 30 years after Fr Simes had secured the site, the primary school opened.

In 1978, Monsignor John Elliot became Parish Priest.

In 1988, Archbishop Bowen consecrated and officially dedicated the Church.

In 2006, Fr Bryan Wells was received in the Parish as Priest-in-charge.

In 2014, Fr Tom Cooper became Parish Priest.

Fr David Camilleri was inducted as Parish Priest on Sunday 31st May 2015 by Bishop Pat Lynch.