London Oratory

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The London Oratory is the correct name for the Community of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in London, SW7, founded by John Henry, Cardinal Newman in conjunction with a Fr. Faber after the Birmingham Oratory had become well established, originally at premises in King William Street. Together with their Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary they are often referred to as the 'Brompton Oratory'. The Oratory is an amazing church in Knightsbridge but many people take for granted its heritage.

The Congregation at the Oratory has long been affiliated with the London Oratory School in Seagrave Road, SW6. The Provost (Community Superior) at the Oratory is also Chairman of the School Governors. The London Oratory School Schola is a prodigious and well-established choir that sings at the church on Saturday evenings, directed by Lee Ward and accompanied on the organ by John McGreal, the other choirs at the Oratory are also highly renowned, one of these is the LO Senior Choir, directed by Patrick Russill. The priests at the Oratory live a semi-monastic life, in a very traditional manner, for example, they still use only Roman style vestments, their habit of biretta and cassock is worn nearly all the time, priests never concelebrate a mass, preferring to sit in choir if not assisting as a deacon of the mass, and they use no women servers.
There are several masses offered each day and private masses are available by arrangement, as are weddings and confessions.
It was at the London Oratory Church, in front of the statue of St. Peter, located in the centre of the church, under the choir loft, that England was re-dedicated to St Peter and Our Lady, sparking the massive 19th Century political debate as to the loyalties of English Catholics, to the Monarch or to Pope.