[1] On 29 May 1867, a mission started in the town to serve the local Roman Catholic population.

In less than a year after the mission began, Fr King paid for a chapel, made of brick, to be built on Junction Road.

[3][4] On 14 April 1890, the old Our Lady of Ransom Church was opened by Fr Charles Stapley.

For the next ten years attempts were made to build a permanent church in the town.

The architect was Frederick Walters and he designed the church in the Gothic Revival style.

On 15 December 1901, the church was opened by the Bishop of Southwark, Francis Bourne, who went on to become a cardinal and Archbishop of Westminster.

[3][4] In 1995, further work on the church was completed after a new altar was installed and the sanctuary refurbished.

It was designed by Gordon Robins of the architectural firm B. Stevens & Partners, headed by A. J. M. McDonough, and the builders were C. Bainbridge & Sons Ltd. On 8 December 1966, the church was opened.