The Catholic Stage Guild was founded in 1911.  The aim of the Guild (as set out subsequently) was to "encourage spiritual, artistic and social intercourse among Catholics connected with the theatrical and allied professions". By 1920, membership had risen to 2,442. 

The Guild helped Catholic artists on tour.  Every theatre stage door had a card giving particulars of services at the nearest Catholic Church. Priests visited the theatres, making artists feel welcome.

An Annual Mass was said in Corpus Christi Church, Maiden Lane.  This celebration has been a part of our policy ever since. 

Click on the image on the right for a 3-page PDF
in which Corpus Christi's Parish Priest,
Fr Christopher Vipers,
details the history of the church
(photographs by Kevin Moloney).

Click on the image above
for a more detailed history
of the Catholic Stage Guild,
in a 2-page PDF. 

Click on the image on the right
for a facsimile manuscript of an article
in which Molly Veness reflects on
the G K Chesterton centenary in 1974.

In 1933, the Interval Club, for Catholic artists in the theatre, was established with the help of profits from the Guild's Sunday night and matinee performances at the Westminster Theatre. 

The annual ball, in aid of Guild funds, was instituted in 1937. Following the revival of the Guild in 1950, after a war-time hiatus, Annual galas took place at the London Coliseum and at the Drury Lane Theatre.  These events, together with premieres of new concert works and play readings in various venues around the country, helped raise money for charity. 

Members and friends continue to this day the tradition of using their talents for charitable causes, touring with plays, songs and sketches to homes for the elderly, parishes and penal institutions.  

The Northern Branch was founded in 1966.