Founded by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1869, the church was established to serve a growing Catholic population, many of whom were Irish immigrants, who had previously lacked a dedicated place of worship in this part of south-west London. From these humble beginnings, the parish has evolved into a diverse and active community, and its Gothic Revival building has become an architectural landmark within a local conservation area.

The Jesuits arrived in Roehampton during the mid-nineteenth century and established a novitiate (a spiritual training centre for their students) called Manresa House, which later became Whitelands College, now part of the University of Roehampton. In 1869, they began a mission to serve the local Catholics in the area. As the congregation continued to grow, a permanent church became necessary.

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In 1876, to accommodate the growing congregation, Fr George Porter, one of the first mission priests and later Archbishop of Bombay, undertook the task of building a permanent church, the foundation stone of which was laid in his time. The foundation stone of St Joseph's church was blessed and laid on 16 July 1878 by Bishop Danell of Southwark, in the grounds of Manresa House.

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The church was designed by the Jesuit architect Br Michael Fearn and built in the English style using grey stock brick and Bath stone. On the evening of 18 March 1881, a silver processional cross led the congregation from Manresa House to the new church, marking the inaugural public worship held in Roehampton. On 24 July 1883, the church was consecrated.

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In 1948, the Jesuits left Manresa House and moved their novitiate to Harlaxton Manor. They also handed over the administration of the church to the diocesan priests of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

As with all families, the parish of St Joseph's has expanded and evolved over time. In the post-war years, the area underwent significant development, transforming from a quiet village into a busy suburb with the construction of the Alton Estates.

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This expansion attracted thousands of new families, many of whom were Irish and Catholic, who found their spiritual home in this vibrant community. In 1958, the church was extended to accommodate the growing congregation. A presbytery was established in the vicinity, contributing to the parish school's thriving educational environment.

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In 1973, the interior of the church was rearranged, and a new altar was installed. A further remodelling took place in 1998, which included a new altar and was part of a millennium development appeal for a new hall (the “Blue Hall”, as it was called at that time), which was built in 2000.

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In [TO CONFIRM: year], a beautiful Marian Grotto was built to deepen the parishioners’ devotion to the Mother of God and our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, a Jubilee Cross was erected in the car park close to the grotto.

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Both the grotto and the Jubilee Crucifix attract people not only from St Joseph parish but also from beyond the parish for personal prayers and devotions. Many visitors find peace, comfort, courage and motivation praying at the grotto or at the feet of Jesus on the Cross; some simply pass by to say hello and express their gratitude to Jesus and Mother Mary.

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During the pandemic, St Joseph's swiftly introduced live-streamed Masses to ensure that parishioners unable to attend in person could still connect with the worshipping community. This practice continues to this day, reflecting both the practical needs of an increasingly digital congregation and the parish's commitment to inclusion.

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From the iron chapel in the grounds of Manresa House to the live-streamed Masses of the twenty-first century, St Joseph's has remained faithful to the mission entrusted to it by the Jesuits in 1869: to serve as a home for the Catholic community of Roehampton and as a beacon for the wider community.

In telling the story of St Joseph’s Church, we must remember that it was built with money mainly provided from the estate of a married couple, Anna Gertrude and her husband Henry James Garcia. Anna Gertrude Garcia was indeed a woman of great generosity whose gift made the construction of the permanent church of St Joseph's possible.

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Originally from Brazil, the couple had moved to Roehampton in 1865. Here in Roehampton, she devoted herself to visiting the sick, caring for the poor, and supporting the growing Catholic community. She passed away in 1875 and was first buried in Fulham and later reburied in the sanctuary of St Joseph’s Church. Her legacy endures in every stone of the building her generosity helped to raise.

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After her death, her husband became a Jesuit novice and was ordained in St Joseph's itself in 1881, coinciding with the opening of the new church. He died in 1885. In 1886, memorial windows to the Garcias were installed.

 

From its inception until now, the parish has been run first by the Jesuits (the founders), followed by diocesan priests, and then handed over to the Comboni Missionaries (Verona Fathers) in 2016.

Over the last 26 years, the parish has been led by the following Parish Priests (and their assistants): Fr Hubert Symes (RIP), Fr Michael Joyce SVD, Fr Tom McHugh, Fr David Gummet, Fr Tesfa Michael Negus MCCJ, Fr Alberto Pelluchi MCCJ, and Fr Louis Kouevi MCCJ. Additionally, Fr David Bohnsack MCCJ served for two or three years as assistant priest before leaving to serve elsewhere; since 2024, Fr Gordon (MCCJ) has been appointed as assistant priest.

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St Joseph, our parish, includes a Catholic primary school (Sacred Heart School), a university (Roehampton University), and two religious congregations with their respective services and communities. The Sacred Heart Sisters are located in Duchesne House, and the Poor Servants of the Mother of God (PSMG) are in St Mary’s Convent on High Street and at Mont Angelus on Danebury Avenue, where they operate a prominent retreat and conference centre, the Kairos Centre. Today, our community is very international and intercultural, with members coming from more than 60 countries.