Church of Our Lady Immaculate and St Ethelbert

A Roman Catholic church stands in the centre of Slough, designed in the Gothic Revival style by Benedict Williamson. It occupies the corner of Wellington Street and William Street, near the town’s main roads. The building is listed at Grade II for its architectural importance. The church bears two names: Our Lady Immaculate and St Ethelbert, reflecting its dedication. Its red-brick walls and tall windows give it a quiet presence among the shops and offices around. The church began as a small chapel in 1885, when an Italian priest, Fr Joseph Clemente, converted a warehouse into a place of worship. Funds were raised by local Catholics, and in 1908 a donation from the Bernardine Cistercians allowed construction to start. The architect was Fr Benedict Williamson, a priest who also designed churches in London. The completed church was consecrated in April 1910, marking a new phase for the parish. A statue of Christ the Redeemer, originally intended for Westminster Cathedral, was installed in 1912. Inside, the rood screen now stands behind the altar, and the baptismal font sits in front of the sanctuary. The ambo replaced the old pulpit during later work by architect Anthony New. The side entrance shows the statue of Christ the Redeemer, blessed by Pope Pius X. The church remains a place of worship and a local landmark, its Gothic lines contrasting with the modern town around it.