After the First World War, the London County Council initiated a large-scale housing development called the Becontree Estate, which included areas like Dagenham and Becontree Heath. ​ The northern part of this estate, now the parish of St Vincent, Becontree, was initially part of the Ilford Urban District Council and the parish of SS. ​ Peter & Paul, Ilford. ​ Canon Patrick Palmer, the parish priest, recognized the need for a Catholic Mass center for the growing Catholic population in the area. ​ After several attempts, a temporary chapel was built in June 1923, funded by the St Vincent de Paul Society. The chapel, costing £3,000 and made partly of asbestos, was officially opened on 13 September 1923 and became the first Catholic place of worship on the estate. ​

As the Catholic community grew, the need for a resident priest and a separate parish became evident. ​ In 1927, Canon Palmer rented a house on Waldegrave Road as a temporary presbytery, and Father Thomas Smith was appointed the first resident priest. ​ On 31 October 1927, the parish of St Vincent, Becontree, was officially established, with Father Smith as its first parish priest. ​ Initially, the parish covered a much larger area, but over time, new parishes like St Peter's, St Anne's, Holy Family, and St Thomas More were established, making St Vincent's the "mother parish" of the Becontree-Dagenham area. ​

Father Smith worked to build a strong Catholic community, introducing societies like the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and the Catholic Women's League. ​ A presbytery was constructed in 1928, and Father Smith was joined by his first curate, Father Vincent Dutton. ​ The Catholic population grew significantly in the 1930s, particularly with the relocation of Henry Ford's motor works to Dagenham. ​ By 1935, the area had four parishes and a chapel-of-ease, in addition to the mother parish in Linton Road. ​

Education was also a priority for Father Smith, and with the help of the Ursuline Sisters of Forest Gate, a Catholic elementary school was established. ​ St Vincent's School opened on 25 August 1929 under the leadership of Mother Mary Campion OSU. ​ By 1934, the school had 362 students, and the Ursulines continued to teach there until 1946, after which lay staff took over, with Mr. Martin becoming the first lay headteacher. ​

The church played a pivotal role in the development of the Catholic community in the Becontree-Dagenham area. ​ From its humble beginnings as a temporary chapel, it grew into a thriving parish that supported the establishment of other parishes and a school, serving as a cornerstone for the spiritual and educational needs of the local Catholic population. ​​

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