A community of faith, prayer, love and service in the heart of Walworth,
South London.
Welcome to English Martyrs Catholic Church, Walworth, a community of faith, prayer, love and service. We are a Roman Catholic parish situated in the heart of Walworth, South London.
and part of the Archdiocese of Southwark. For generations, our church has been a place where people come together to worship God, celebrate the Sacraments, grow in faith and support one another.
Whether you have been a practising Catholic all your life, are returning to the Church, are exploring the Catholic faith for the first time, or simply looking for a place of prayer and peace, you are warmly welcome here.
The story of English Martyrs Catholic Church is a story of faith, community and continuity. For generations, Catholics in Walworth have gathered to worship, celebrate the sacraments and build a community around their faith...
Read full History →English Martyrs Catholic Church has been part of the Walworth community since 1893. Throughout its long history, the parish has witnessed many changes in the local community and in the wider world, while continuing to remain faithful to the Gospel and to the mission of the Catholic Church.
Our church is dedicated to the English Martyrs – men and women who remained faithful to Christ and courageously witnessed to their Catholic faith. Their example reminds us of the importance of faith, courage, sacrifice, forgiveness and trust in God.
Our history is not simply about a building; it is about the many generations of parishioners, priests, families, children and visitors who have prayed here, received the Sacraments and supported one another through times of joy and difficulty.
One of the great strengths of our parish is the diversity of our community. People who worship with us come from many different backgrounds, cultures and countries – more than forty nationalities, reflecting the rich and multicultural character of Walworth and South London.
At English Martyrs, we seek to be a parish where everyone can feel at home – where people are welcomed with kindness, treated with dignity and encouraged to discover the joy of belonging to the family of God.
“Although we may speak different languages and come from different cultures, we are united by one faith in Jesus Christ.”
At the heart of our parish life is the Holy Mass, where we gather as one family to listen to God's Word, give thanks and receive the Eucharist. We also come together for prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession and the celebration of the other Sacraments.
Our parish seeks to accompany people at every stage of their journey of faith – from Baptism and First Holy Communion through Confirmation, Marriage and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as supporting those who are sick, elderly, grieving or in need of prayer.
Families are an important part of our parish community. We want our children and young people to grow up knowing that they are loved by God and that they have a special place within the Church. We encourage families to participate actively in the life of the parish, to pray together and to discover the beauty of the Catholic faith.
We are also grateful for our connection with English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, which has served families in the local community for several years.
Being a Christian community means more than coming to church. We are called to put our faith into action by loving and serving others, attentive to the needs of those around us – especially people who are lonely, vulnerable, struggling or in need of encouragement.
Through the generosity, time and talents of our parishioners, our community continues to grow and serve. We are grateful to all those who volunteer, contribute, pray for the parish and help make our church a welcoming home for others.
At English Martyrs, we believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and has a unique dignity and value.
As a Catholic parish, our mission is to:
Worship God through the celebration of the Holy Mass and the Sacraments.
Grow in faith through prayer, Scripture and the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Welcome everyone with Christian love, respect and kindness.
Support families and young people as they grow in their relationship with Christ.
Serve those in need and reach out to our wider community.
Build a community of friendship and fellowship where people can experience the love of God.
Share the Good News of Jesus Christ through our words, our actions and the way we live.
Whether you are a long-standing parishioner or someone visiting us for the first time, we are delighted to welcome you to English Martyrs Catholic Church. Join us for Mass, spend some time in prayer, speak with a priest or simply come and experience the warmth of our community. Our doors are open, and there is a place for you among us.
Come and pray with us.
Come and discover the love of Christ with us.
Come and celebrate with us.
Come and become part of our parish family.
