Due to a strange legal loophole, Bishop’s Stortford became home for a great many non-conformists throughout the seventeenth century much to the dismay of the long-suffering Catholic community. It wasn’t until 1896 that the town got a catholic priest and in 1900 mainly thanks to the visit of missionary, Cardinal Vaughan, plans were approved for the building of this church. This fascinating structure is based on a church designed by Michelangelo in San Miniato. It was finished in 1903 and was consecrated in 1906, finally given the towns Catholics a beautiful place of worship.