St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church, Commercial Road

St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church dates back to 1762 when the Virginia Chapel was open in Virginia Street, off Ratcliffe Highway, now The Highway.  The Chapel was destroyed during the Gordon Riots in 1780 and rebuilt.  However, by the mid-nineteenth century there was a need to build a new Church for the growing congregation.  The Roman Catholic Church drew up plans to build it in Commercial Road.

St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church was opened in 1856 and can claim to be the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the East End.  The Church was designed by W W Wardell and built of Kentish ragstone with Caen stone dressing.  The interior has a long and lofty nave with the same proportions from the entrance to the chancel.  It is 185 feet long and 75 feet wide.  The High Altar was erected in 1911, consisting of Caen Stone, elaborately carved with marble columns and dressings.  Behind the Altar is a huge glass window.  

During the Second World War, on Saturday afternoon March 17th 1945, a V2 fell in Lukin Street which runs along side the Church.  It destroyed the Church School, Lukin Street, and the Presbytery behind the Church as well as a number of houses in Lukin Street itself.  Luckily the School was empty at the time because it was a Saturday.  However four people were killed: one in the School, an LCC employee and three in Lukin Street, with many injured in Commercial Road by flying glass. St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church although badly damaged by the blast was repaired.