History of the Parish

In 1935, the Diocese of Westminster identified the need for a new parish to serve Cockfosters. The Benedictine Order, responding to that need, established the Vita et Pax Foundation, and land was acquired for a new parish church and monastery. By late 1936, a bungalow had been found on Bramley Road. This was to be named the Priory of Christ the King, and permission was acquired to establish a noviciate for monks on the site. In 1939 the new Church was blessed by Cardinal Hinsley and began serving the local community.

Finished with a large illuminated cross, the new church was distinctive in appearance; it was originally intended as a hall, serving as a church temporarily, in the process of much larger construction plans. These plans were not to come to fruition, as the outbreak of war destabilised Parish finances.

Over the course of the twentieth century, the parish grew and flourished. It was closely engaged in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, including as home to the Cockfosters Ecumenical Charismatic Prayer Group. Lay leadership and service supported a vibrant community, with a range of groups and organisations based in the parish: the Cockfosters Centre for Spirituality; Knights of St. Columba; the Catholic Women’s League; and local ‘justice and peace’ and Christian social responsibility initiatives.

In 2014, the Chemin Neuf Community were invited by Cardinal Vincent Nichols to take on responsibility for the running of the parish, which has continued to grow under new stewardship. In 2020, faced with the Coronavirus pandemic, which prevented public gatherings and mass attendance, the parish began broadcasting masses online. Since the gradual reopening, the parish has restored its evangelisation and community projects, and continues to welcome new parishioners.