St. Patrick’s RC Church, Soho — Attraction in London

Wednesday 31 August 2016

This review is about their Open House feeding of the 'homeless and vulnerable' that takes place in the basement of St Patrick's Church on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

The blurb on the church's website advertising this event states the following:

"St Patrick’s Open House is a twice-weekly invitation to the homeless and vulnerable to come and have a home-cooked meal.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.

Mat 25:35

Open House started in 2003 feeding approximately 50 guests each week."

What they, conveniently, DON'T tell visitors to their website, or their potential 'guests', is that the use of toilet facilities in the church is being deliberately denied to those 'guest' attending the Open House feeding - who are mainly, but not exclusively, homeless rough sleepers.

Let me say it again, loud and clear, so there can be no misunderstanding:

'GUESTS' OF THE ST PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OPEN HOUSE FEEDING OF THE HOMELESS AND VULNERABLE ARE TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT USE THE TOILET FACILITIES IN THE CHURCH BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE MEAL - AND THAT SHOULD THEY REQUIRE THE USE OF THIS BASIC FACILITY THEY WILL HAVE TO GO ELSEWHERE.

My reaction to this state of affairs is: JESUS WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU - NOT!

Particularly as there ARE toilet facilities on the premises which are available for use and, indeed, are made available to homeless people who attend the church as part of the Winter Night Shelter Programme: it's just that the caring sharing folk at this church have made a conscious decision to deny the use of this basic facility to their homeless 'guests' who attend the Open House feeding - and who can be on the premises for up to two hours: the duration of the meal.

It's a pretty peculiar host that would deny the use of toilet facilities to their invited guests - in fact it borders on the sadistic because beverages are liberally served at this two hour, two course, sit down meal: and what goes in must come out.

Moreover this church may in fact be breaking the law by failing to provide toilet facilities for its 'guests' because the meal is a sit-down affair which regularly, by their own admission, has around 50 attendees each week. This is something that the Council's Environmental Health Department needs to investigate.

To the pious pretense of the quotation from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25 Verse 35 which appears on the church's webpage, advertising the Open House feeding, can be added this improvised line:

I needed the toilet and you told me to go elsewhere.

Jesus would be proud...

St Patrick's Church in Soho is a beautiful church located right beside the park and square. It is a peaceful oasis in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life, providing a nice place to get away to pray and reflect. The church is also known for its charitable work, providing 5-star meals regularly with shower facilities to support the homeless. Having personally attended their breakfast and lunches, I can say that the food is absolutely amazing. A hot meal is crucial to me and other homeless vulnerable people that struggle. The warm parishioners make the church a small cozy place to visit. The church is well worth a visit and is a beautiful building constructed out of bricks with a bell-tower. It is Grade II* listed and has an unusual longish shape due to plot constrictions given at that time. The main entrance has a Roman-style porch with Corinthian columns. Above the entrance is an inscription: "Ut christiani ita et romani sitis" ("Be ye Christians as those of the Roman Church"), a quotation taken from the writings of...

Attended the 5:00 PM Mass at St. Patrick’s RC Church with my wife, and it was truly a blessed experience. The architecture of the church is absolutely stunning—holy, serene, and beautiful. From the moment we stepped inside, we felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The atmosphere during Mass was so uplifting, and it really touched both of our hearts.

Though our parish church is special to us, there’s something uniquely sacred about St. Patrick's. We felt deeply connected to the spiritual energy here and will definitely return for Mass and worship in this peaceful, beautiful place. Highly recommend this church for anyone looking for a spiritually enriching...