
In 1534, the first Act of Supremacy was passed, declaring that the English crown was “The only supreme head on earth of the Church in England”, this was further cemented with the second Act of Supremacy in 1558 under Elizabeth I. Catholicism and its practice was rendered illegal in the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland.
Catholics who refused to attend Anglican masses were punished via fines and physical beatings, and were labelled recusants. Many priests and laity, such as St. Edmund Campion, were executed as martyrs and traitors. Whilst many Catholics converted to Anglicanism, some prominent families, such as the Houses of Howard and Beaufort, remained Catholic and enabled the faith to survive in England through their patronage.
With churches seized and priests commanded to leave the country, Catholicism was driven underground, however, one chapel remained a haven for the practicing faithful in London, that being the embassy chapel of the Spanish ambassador.
Originally based in what is now St. Etherldreda’s Church, it was leased from the Bishops of Ely to the Spanish embassy, and was considered Spanish soil and thus, allowed the practice of Catholic mass there, however, usage of the chapel was revoked in 1622 after the recalling of Diego, Count of Gondomar, who was the Spanish ambassador at the time.
It wouldn’t be until the restoration of King Charles II in 1660 that the Spanish embassy would be re-established in London, eventually ending up at Hertford House, Manchester square.
When the Roman Catholic Relief Act passed in 1791, a chapel was built on the corner of Spanish place to accommodate the Spanish embassy, in 1827 it was handed over to the London Vicarate and eventually became part of the Diocese of Westminster, but the Spanish connection continues with the personal banner of King Alfonso XIII (The last King of Spain until the Second Spanish Republic was declared in 1931) in a frame above the sacristy.
St. James’ now stands as a testimony to the Churches’ perseverance under persecution, a legacy that we should all be proud of.
The Columban Missionaries in Britain will be visiting this remarkable church on the 2nd and 3rd November 2024 as part of our annual Mission Appeal in the Westminster Diocese. Every year our Mission Awareness Team visits different dioceses in England and Wales to preach the Annual Mission Appeal and promote mission awareness. The team circulate around the parishes to publicize our work, raise funds, thank our existing benefactors and invite new supporters to join the Columban missionary family. During 2024 we have had the pleasure of visiting parishes in Westminster and Cardiff. The Columban Missionaries in Britain will soon announce which dioceses they will be visiting in 2025.