Image credit: Rachel Clarke / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · 2012-01-22 ↗
St Mary’s, Holly Place
Hampstead · Hampstead · Second-audit addition
Story
St Mary’s is tucked away in Holly Place, almost perfectly hidden for those who seek out discreet historical gems: a small Roman Catholic church nestled between houses, very easy to miss if you are not looking for it. The community formed around Abbé Jean-Jacques Morel, a priest who fled the French Revolution in 1792 and began ministering to both French and English Catholics in Hampstead. The chapel, completed in 1816, is regarded by Historic England as one of the earliest Roman Catholic churches built in England after the Reformation, predating the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. The church’s role as a place of refuge was unexpectedly echoed during the Second World War. Charles de Gaulle, exiled in London and for a time a resident in Hampstead, worshipped here. The present building features a more elaborate nineteenth-century frontage and an interior that has evolved over time, but its enduring power lies in its intimate scale: it does not announce itself as a grand urban church but sits discreetly at the heart of the small Holly Place composition. This church adds a rich layer of faith, exile, and religious tolerance to Hampstead’s story.
What to look for
Look for the narrow facade, the small bellcote at the top, and the figure of the Virgin and Child above the entrance. Notice how the church is neatly fitted between the terraced houses of Holly Place.
Secret detail
The community was founded by a priest fleeing the French Revolution. Centuries later, another prominent French exile, Charles de Gaulle, worshipped here during the Second World War.
Where exactly
4 Holly Place, NW3 6QU. Enter Holly Place from the Church Row/Heath Street side and look for the church embedded within the small terrace of houses.
Orientation
Do not look for a large church on a main road. Enter Holly Place and take in the whole composition; if worship is taking place, please respect the silence and liturgical access.
Why it matters
This unassuming church reveals London’s history of religious tolerance, being one of England’s earliest post-Reformation Catholic churches, and links the neighbourhood to episodes of French exile and community.
Access & opening
Live verification required before production routing.
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Needs production accessibility check.