It was built from 1890 to 1891 and designed by the Alfred Edward Purdie, in the Gothic Revival style.

It is located on Cresswell Park, just off Lee Road, close to Blackheath station.

He started a Catholic orphanage in Park House on the Cator Estate in Blackheath.

However, local Catholics started to attend Mass there (preferring it over travelling to Our Ladye Star of the Sea in Greenwich) and Todd soon received permission for it to be a chapel for the area.

Charles Butler and his family funded the building of the church and the leasing and purchase of the land from the Cator Estate.

The architect was Alfred Edward Purdie, who was a student of Augustus Pugin and assistant to Gilbert R.

In 1919, the De La Salle Brothers moved St Joseph's Academy to Blackheath from Clapham.