Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, Leighton Buzzard

The Roman Catholic Church first established a permanent presence in Leighton Buzzard (that is following the Reformation in the 16th century) in 1892, when it rented a room in a premises in North Street (at the rear of number 8). In May that year the first Mass was celebrated.

Three years later, in 1895, a historic event took place when the Bishop of Northampton, Dr. Riddell, visited Leighton Buzzard to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to a number of local people. This was the first time such a service had been conducted in the town for over three hundred years.

Also in 1895, the Church of the Sacred Heart was provided with a Resident Priest, the Reverend Charles E. Reilly. He was instrumental in the collection of funds and the purchasing of the plot of land in Beaudesert, Leighton Buzzard, where the current Church and Presbytery are located.

Late in 1897 the first church was erected, and was constructed of corrugated iron. This church was used until 1952, when it was found necessary to build a new church with a larger capacity. This new church was completed in 1953 and remained without alteration until. in the late 1960's it was re-roofed.