The church stands in some side-streets, not far from the Old Kent Road, one of the main roads out of London. Being off the main roads, it is surprisingly quiet for a place so near to the city centre, though this does have the disadvantage that it is not well known except to locals. Nevertheless, the place is well-attended on a Sunday, and many people who have been coming here for years continue to do so even after they have moved into a different parish.

Inside, the church looks rather splendid, I think. Its architect was a man called Pugin, who was one of the best-known (in Catholic circles) of those working in the then newly-revived Gothic style. To me, it gives an impression of spaciousness and elegance, partly because the pillars and the arches are comparatively slender.

At the same time, the lines are simple and there is no 'fussiness' about the detail and decoration. There seems just enough light coming in from the windows (including four rather beautiful rose windows) to add to the air of spaciousness, without letting in so much light that it destroys the mood and atmosphere of the place (as in some modern churches).

Another thing I like about the church is that although the benches are comfortable to use, there is not very much in the way of carpets and soft furnishings. This probably sounds rather negative, but it does mean that sound carries very well, which really helps the singing. (If you've ever been in the habit of singing in the bathroom, you'll know how great your voice can sound in a room that's fairly bare and echoey.) People certainly seem to respond to this sort of acoustic and join in the singing with great gusto!