[1] In 1864, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate were invited to Tower Hill and Kilburn by Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman to start missions serving the local Catholic communities.

On 12 December 1866, the temporary church and school were opened by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Henry Manning.

On 18 May 1873, the foundation stone for English Martyrs Church was laid by Cardinal Manning.

In the 1890s, the school next door was enlarged, resulting in the demolition of the original sacristy and the building of a new one in the presbytery.

In 1970, the school was moved to St Mark Street and its old site became a community centre.