Looking for a lively church in West London

[samosamo]

Hi there everyone,

I'm would like any advice around Churches in West London zone 2/3/4 that are lively, have a good Sunday school, not stuffy, and either Catholic, Anglican or Methodist. I don't mean to offend anyone by being so flexible.

Please let me know!

There is a big evangelical church in Hammersmith. St Paul's. I hear good things of All saints Fulham which is at the more catholic end of the C of E. I think those are zones 2 or 3.

Yes All saints in Fulham is very 'high church' in terms of how services are conducted, but very socially liberal. Lovely vicar. Nice, social congregation. At the other end of the scale, Christ Church Fulham is also very lively and social, but is very evangelical, socially conservative, Alpha course, etc. Horses for courses.

Holy Trinity Brompton is in your search area. As they are so big it rather drains the area of big charismatic evangelical churches. Their children's work will be fabulous as they are heaving with staff.

Are you looking north or south of the river? When you say lively do you mean evangelical? London is a big place and even one part ie West London is huge.

Hi! Thank you all,

When I said lively I meant sociable, inclusive, community groups, singing where the congregation join in. I have just moved from an area in South London with a church that was welcoming, had groups like the Irish group, the Nigerian group, parent groups etc and though none had my family nationality it was nice to have those events that everyone could attend. Great for my kids. The Sunday school was good, lots of games, colouring in, songs. Sermons were rousing too.

I need this to go often, and I want to go often. If I'm just spoken at for 9- minutes, the sunday school is no fun so the kids want to sit with me and then there is nothing social and I can go years without anyone knowing my name or me knowing theirs, it's not for me. I absolutely get that some people want to experience church in an anonymous way, but I don't. DH is Catholic and though early life for me was Catholic, I grew up in a suburban Baptist, hence the eclectic outlook!

I don't mean evangelical in that stereotypical way, so massively 'charismatic', I'm a bit more traditional than that.

I'm currently in Shepherds Bush right now.

I've never really worked Shepherds Bush out. You could try St Andrews in Fulham Fields which has lots going on. Quietly catholic I think.

St Paul's Hammersmith would be good to visit, only a mile away from shepherd's Bush.

I haven’t been for a couple of years as we moved out of London, but St Dionis in Parsons Green should fit the bill. I loved it there when I was a regular attendee.

The Oratory Brompton Rd has a family mass at 10am and youth groups for 12-17 and young adults 18-35. I imagine they would have more for children as they are an order of priests that are really fantastic for catechisis, spiritual direction and support. John Henry Newman brought the Oratory of St. Philip Neri to England.