Father John Conneely

A PRIEST has said it is increasingly difficult for young families to stay in Camden because the area is no longer affordable.

Speaking to the New Journal, the newly appointed priest at St Anselm and St Cecilia, Father John Conneely, said: “You see economic challenges in Camden, it’s hard for young families to stay in Camden because there are no properties available or affordable enough.

“Last year we only had two children for holy communion. This year we have 16, so it does vary and there are families out there, but it is much harder now to raise a child in London. You haven’t got a garden, so many places are flats and a lot of affordable housing has been sold.”

Fr John began his new role at the Holborn Church in Lincoln’s Inn Fields following the death of Father David Barnes last year after nearly 20 years at the church, which dates back to 1687.

Fr John had assisted at St Anselm and St Cecilia for 15 years but had not previously been assigned there. He has also spent time at Our Lady of Hal in Arlington Road.

Born and raised in Angel, Islington, Fr John attended St John Evangelist Primary School before moving out to Enfield aged 10.

His parents emigrated from Ireland and his father was a labourer with his mother taking on various jobs until she was married.

“In those days if you didn’t like your job you could leave it at midday and get another job in the afternoon,” he said.

“When they bought their first house they had to have lodgers as that’s the only way they could afford it – coming from nothing and trying to build what they had.

“It’s a very different economic environment: my parents bought a house whereas now that is much harder.

“Angel wasn’t fashionable in those days. We had a bomb site so it was the best adventure playground in the world.”

Around 380 people attend mass at St Anselm and St Cecilia on Sundays, with about 80 attending on weekdays.

Services are also live-streamed.

Fr John said it was not unusual that most of the group that attended Sunday evening mass were under 30.

He said: “It’s the simple questions that people seek answers to: Why am I getting out of bed? Why am I working? What’s the point of all this?

“It’s the fundamental question that humanity has asked from the very beginning. What is it all for or about beyond today?

“A modern era means things must change to stay the same. You have to use modern means of communication but the essential messages are the same. You’ve got to be able to adapt to the medium.”

Fr David died in the early hours of Christmas Eve 2024 after celebrating his birthday the previous day.

He had been receiving palliative care in St John’s Wood.

He spoke to the New Journal in November after receiving his terminal diagnosis and reflected warmly on his time at the church.

Since his death, the church has kept Fr David’s answer machine message, as many parishioners still like to hear his voice.

“Father David’s best sermon was his death,” said Fr John, adding: “He was very much a priest and once he had the diagnosis and knew what was going to happen he had such determination.

“What was wonderful was, although he couldn’t serve mass towards the end, he could still hear confessions, and he was doing that right up until a week before he went to the hospice.

“Fr David had been taught in the psychological sciences he was a much-sought-after counsellor.

“Somehow the idea that you are going to confession from somebody who is dying – a lot of people were going to him for his counsel and wisdom, but there was a sense people were getting something more and that meant a great deal to him that he could be a priest right up until a week before his death.”

A memorial mass for Fr David will be held at St Anselm and St Cecilia tomorrow (Friday) at 6pm.