A brief history of inception of St Johns is contained on page 53 and for the school page 106 of Gillian Clegg's book Brentford Past.As most Catholic churches it was founded because of the Irish workers here in the 19th century - in 1866 to seat 300. Gillian Clegg's book contains more information.I note that Andrea Cameron's Feb 17 Lecture on "the Changing Face of Hounslow" to the Brentford & Chiswick Local History Society contained no reference to Irish immigration into this area even when corrected by a member of the audience. Can it be that the canal, dock, railways and buildings were constructed without the aid of Irish labour and that the many Irish names and Catholic churches in this area have come from tourists?I think the London Library (?) around Camden / Kings Cross contains history of all London churches.
Michael Fletcher ● 6315d