Past and present

Parish Priests

The first parish priest was Fr Adolf Koch who was parish priest for 35 years until his death in 1980. He was responsible for building the two halls and the presbytery and extending the Church (built by Fr Clifford Nevatt, parish Priest of Welling in 1937). On the occasion of his 25th anniversary of ordination, Fr Koch furnished the Church with a beautiful statue of Our Lady, standing on oak leaves, an image that recalls her appearance to the children at Fatima.

Fr Patrick Bailey moved to the parish from Brixton. A friendly and traditional Irish priest, he sadly died only 3 years after coming to the parish.

Fr Tony Pyle came to Blackfen, bringing his experience of the missions in South America. He brought many new ideas to the parish and encouraged lay ministry and apostolate to flourish. Much loved by the children of the parish, he was greatly missed when he was forced to retire in 1997 because of ill health.

Fr Tim Finigan, the present parish priest, was appointed in September 1997 to build on the good work of his predecessors and take the parish forward into the third millennium. He is especially keen to encourage youth work and catechesis for all based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He brings with him the experience of many years of work with the Faith Movement and ten years of training permanent deacons in the South of England.

Parish Deacons

Rev Braz Menezes was ordained in 1982. Born in Goa, he came to England after many years working in the Colonial Civil Service. His work as a deacon in the parish and in the wider Church has seen great fruit in the establishment of our parish prayer group and in the care of the sick. His love and comprehensive knowledge of the scriptures encourages us to be deeply immersed in the Word of God.

Rev Michael Baldry was ordained in 1997. By trade a carpet-fitter, his involvement in the world of work and the care of his own family enables him to relate closely to the workers and families of the parish. As well as exercising a responsible stewardship of the fabric of the Church and other facilities, Deacon Michael has taken responsibility for the parish's RCIA course and its development.