Past and Current Honorary Presidents of the Guild

Since 1925 and the establishment of the Central Council, Honorary Lay Presidents have been elected at the Annual General Meeting which is open to all members of the Guild to attend. They serve for a period of 2 years, and may be re-elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms of office. An Honorary Lay Vice-President is also elected to aid the Honorary President and deputise when necessary. They work under the guidance of the National Director and Superior General. The current and 33rd Honorary Lay President is Paul Briers K.C.H.S. and the Honorary Lay Vice-President is Catherine Burns, both took office in 2021.

• 1925-1926

  • F. Stacey (Kilburn, Westminster)

• 1927-1933

  • F. Deverell (Carmelites, Kensington, Westminster)

• 1934-1936

  • A. Venner (Wembley, Westminster)

• 1937-1940

  • A. Boughton (Carmelites, Kensington, Westminster)

• 1941-1945

  • W. McGrath (Our Lady of Victories, Kensington, Westminster)

• 1946-1948

  • F. Kennedy (Chelsea, Westminster)

• 1949

  • G. Bleach (Bethnal Green, Westminster)

• 1950-1952

  • F. Kennedy (Chelsea, Westminster)

• 1953

  • P. Dark (Acton, Westminster)

• 1954-1956

  • J.P. Walsh (Fulham, Westminster)

• 1957-1959

  • G. Young (Pimlico, Westminster)

• 1960-1962

  • A.J Atherton (Good Shepherd, Finchley, Westminster)

• 1963-1965

  • J.P. Walsh (Fulham, Westminster)

• 1966-1968

  • J.A. Crowe K.S.G. (Welwyn, Westminster)

• 1969-1971

  • R.D. Ives K.S.G. (Bishop’s Stortford, Westminster)

• 1971-1973

  • J.V. Ashton (East Twickenham, Westminster)

• 1974-

  • E. O’Rourke, K.S.G., K.C.H.S. (St John’s Wood, Westminster)

• 1975-1977

  • ?

• 1978-1979

  • W. McIvor (St Thomas of Canterbury, Fulham, Westminster)

• 1979-1980

  • W. McIvor (St Thomas of Canterbury, Fulham, Westminster)

• 1980-1983

  • D. McElligott (Camden Town, Westminster)

• 1983-1986

  • C.E.G. Merritt (Northfields, Westminster)

• 1987-1989

  • M.F. Chute (Brook Green, Westminster)

• 1990-1992

  • C.J. Devlin (Bushey, Westminster)

• 1993-1995

  • D. Notley (North Harrow, Westminster)

• 1996-1998

  • M.F. Chute (Brook Green, Westminster)

• 1999-2001

  • A. Ogunseitan (Westminster Cathedral, Westminster)

• 2002-2005

  • A. J. Hawes K.S.G. (Palmers Green, Westminster)

• 2006-2009

  • M.F. Chute K.S.G. (Brook Green, Westminster)

• 2010-2013

  • N.F. Tilbury (Westminster Cathedral, Westminster)

• 2013-2017

  • A. Ogunseitan (Ponders End, Westminster)

• 2018-2021

  • M. O’Leary (Lincolns Inn Fields, Westminster)

• 2021 - Present

  • P. Briers K.C.H.S. (Workington, Lancaster)