Church of Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory
Warwick Street Parish
Dedicated to the Life of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Our Music
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory in Warwick Street has a long tradition of musical excellence.
St John Henry Newman recalled in the first chapter of his Apologia Pro Vita Sua that he first visited the church with his father to hear a musical performance.
Throughout the nineteenth century great opera singers from nearby Covent Garden would often perform at the church during Mass.
In 2013 the church was placed into the care of the Personal Ordinariate of our Lady of Walsingham, a diocese-like structure within the Catholic Episcopal Conference of England and Wales which enables Anglicans to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church whilst preserving elements of their musical, liturgical and spiritual heritage.
Perhaps one of the greatest of these is the Anglican Choral tradition. Today, at Warwick Street, a professional choir has established itself as a proponent of that tradition, and settings of the Mass by Stanford, Howells, Darke, and Ireland among others are now heard in a Catholic place of worship on a weekly basis. These are regularly combined with treasures from the Catholic choral tradition.
Our tradition of musical excellent is now at risk
Our Organ
Its Orgin
The organ was built by John Byfield III or IV (there were four successive generations of John Byfield) around 1791. The organ case dates from this period. Some of Byfield’s pipework remains in the organ together with that from the rebuild by Lincoln around 1804. The most recent rebuild was undertaken in 1960/61, by Mander. This included the provision of a new detached console, electrification of the action, extension north and south of the casework and the provision of a Choir organ and solo reed.
Its History with Great Musician
In 1747, our church became the chapel of the Bavarian Ambassador. During this time, the chapel developed a tradition of musical excellence, so much so that it became known as the ‘Penny Opera’ (the penny put in the collection plate being cheaper than a seat at nearby Covent Garden opera). Renowned singers, such as the tenor Garcia, himself a noted composer and a lover of Rossini, gave their services. We have in our possession an extensive archive of music that was performed during this period, which includes many hand-written manuscripts, including those of Haydn and Garcia among others. At a recent concert, a portion of the latter’s Te Deum, ‘Tibi Omnes’ was performed.
It is though that Haydn and Mozart may have worshipped at Warwick Street when in London.
The organist Samuel Webbe, composer of the tune to which the words of the hymn ‘New Every Morning’ is most frequently sung, was director of music for many years.
It is known that Haydn worshipped at Warwick Street when in London, and there is good reason for thinking that Mozart would have done so, too.
The organist Samuel Webbe, composer of the tune to which the words of the hymn ‘New Every Morning’ is most frequently sung, was director of music for many years.
Organ Repair
Our organ is in urgent need of restoration. Therefore we kindly ask you to contribute financially in order to preserve this historical instrument and to safeguard the musical traditions it helps support.
Mr Keith Brown
Director of Music
Keith is a professional organist and choral director. He was a cathedral organ scholar and has a church music diploma and music degree. He is experienced in both Catholic and Anglican liturgies. He has been Director of Music at Warwick Street since 2013.