The founding of St. Peter's church in Clerkenwell in 1864 reflected the growing number of Italian families in the neighbourhood. The most important religious event of the year is still the Festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated there in mid July. Thousands of Italians flock to join this procession headed by a statue of the Madonna. Begun in 1883, the festival was called 'the first attempt made by Roman Catholics at any parade or open-air demonstration in London since the pre-Reformation days.'
