This is the first time I visited a "Church of Scotland" It's very simple and free of ornamentation…read more Except for a gorgeous circular stained glass depicting the birth of Christ above the altar. The church is on the first floor and the ground floor is occupied by a school and a kitchen for the school. There was lovely organ music playing when I entered and it made the whole place just feel more peaceful and sacred

Selham is almost perfect Sussex, nestling in the lush valley of the River Rother, midway between…read morePetworth and Midhurst. Its church is equally delightful. Set in an attractive churchyard, it consists of a small nave and chancel, with a south chapel and a modern porch. Its history is a little obscure: it is not mentioned in Domesday, but the nave and chancel were clearly built very early in the Norman period, at the end of the 11th century. A south chapel was added in the 14th century, but largely rebuilt in the 19th. It once has a west tower, demolished in the 18th century and replaced with the current (and slightly twee) bell-cote during the Victorian restoration. The actual age of the church has always been a puzzle: the proportions of the doorways, walls and nave suggest a Saxon origin, but the chancel in particular has lovely herringbone masonry, characteristic of Norman work, as well as a Norman tub-style font. But the greatest mystery of all is Selham's real treasure, its chancel arch. Narrow in the Saxon tradition, the arch itself has plain roll mouldings in the Norman style. The arch is supported by attached columns, above which are capitals, than abaci and then imposts. Each element is carved in different designs, incorporating both Saxon and Norman styles. The north capital has a crude Composite design, with coiled stems and semi palmettes. Above this, the abacus has Saxon-style interlace, and the impost on top has roll moulding facing and interlinked palmettes in the Norman tradition. The south capital is the most fascinating, with marvellous reptilian figures in the Viking style: one fish-like animal spews foliage, whereas a second snake-like has a knotted body and devours its own tail while also spewing forth more foliage. Above this, the abacus has stylised foliage, and the impost has Saxon roll decoration emerging from a strange, looped snake-like beast. Architectural historians have argued how all this came about, and whether it dates before or after 1066. Could different pieces, possibly of different dates and intended originally for other work, have been put together to make the arch? Or does it simply represent Saxon masons working in the Norman period and incorporating new designs? The truth is that we will never know, but can only marvel at the unique and fascinating result. The church still has regular services, twice a month.

Cuckfield's church has one of the most delightful settings of any village church I know. Situated…read moreon the south side of this delightfully well-kept Sussex village, it's churchyard and the adjoining cemetery are full of mature trees and surrounded by delightful cottages and lanes of old village houses. A footpath runs from Haywards Heath right past the churchyard, and makes for a delightful summer afternoon walk. The church itself has low stone walls and a steeply pitched tiled roof, the squat tower topped a spire covered in wooden shingles, visible for miles around. The main north porch is a delightfully rustic structure, which would not look out of place in 'Lord of the Rings'. The entrance to the churchyard from Church Street has the largest gateway I know - almost like a pavilion. But despite its ancient foundation, the real interest to-day lies in some fine Vistorian additions. Records refer to a church here as early as 1092, but the present building dates from a rebuilding begun about 1250. The original church occupied what is now the nave, the walls following the line of the present arcade. The south aisle was added about 1250, and the base of the tower begun. The north aisle, with its hexagonal columns, was added in the 14th century, together with the present chancel and side chapels, and in the 15th century the roof was rebuilt in its present sweeping form, rising from the aisle walls direct to the ridge. The Sergison chapel on the north side was added in the 16th century, and the two porches were rebuilt by the Victorians. From 1855 onwards, the church underwent a major restoration, under the direction of the famous church architect, George Frederick Bodley. Much of the work - including the painted ceiling and some of the stained glass - was undertaken by his even more famous pupil, C E Kempe, who also worshipped here. The ceiling in particular is an astonishing piece of decoration for a parish church, and would humble many a cathedral. As if to finish the roll call of Victoriana, the south aisle also has windows by Clayton and Bell. Other items of interest include a wide range of memorials from the 16th century onwards and a 13th century bowl-shaped font. The church is the centre of a very active parish life, details of which can be found on its website.

Quaint little church I came while walking to breakfast. Went in to pray and look around…read more Always nice to be welcome into the Lord's House.

St Stephen's is a lovely church only a few minutes' walk from the bustle of Victoria Street, with…read morean active and diverse congregation. Built in 1847-49 by Benjamin Ferrey, a pupil of Pugin, it is an accomplished example of Victorian Neo-Gothic in the 13th century Decorated style. The ragstone exterior encloses a cool, largely whitewashed interior. There is an aisled nave of 5 bays, and a long chancel. A small south chapel, dedicated in 1904, was erected in memory of Angela Tennant, daughter of the first Vicar. This has an elaborate decorated scheme of mosaics in the vaguely pre-Raphaelite style. Other elements of interest include a stained glass window of the Good Shepherd by Morris & Co, designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones (1890), and an original window of 1850 by Wailes in the south aisle. The spire was damaged by lightning and again during World War II, and shortened in the 1960s because of safety concerns. It was restored to its original height by the addition of a lightweight extension in 1994. The website lists the range of daily services and other activities at this busy church.

St Mark's is a friendly Anglican church, just a stone's throw from Wimbledon railway and…read moreunderground station. The church has just celebrated the 50th anniversary of its (re)building. The building itself is of modern design, built in 1968-9 to designs by Humphrys & Hurst in association with David Nye, to replace a late Victorian church which had burned down. Very unusually for a church, it is pentagonal in layout, with five large concrete arches meeting at a central point to give a spacious tent-like interior, incorporating a roof-top lantern. The walls are pierced by rectangular windows filled with vibrantly coloured modern glass, which are meant to depict the creation (look carefully and you can see fish, whales and planets). Although very much of its time, it works well as a worship space: worship is effectively in the round, with a large sanctuary (and a long altar rail) surrounded by pews on three sides. The church also has a small chapel, and plenty of rooms for meetings, as well as a church hall (available for hire) and an attractive lawned area at the rear. Weekly worship is on Sundays at 08:00 and 10:00, and Wednesdays at 13:00. Services are in a modern, liberal Catholic tradition (but no incense), and attracts a friendly congregation with lots of young families. There is a crèche, and various groups for children on Sundays during the service.

I'm very lucky because I get to see this amazing building every day, Im not a part of the church,…read morebut I can appreciate the beauty of the building, but for thise who are, this beautiful Victorian Gothic Anglican church that was built in 1864, is a part of the Diocese of London. They have a service every Sunday at 10:00 am. Everyone is welcome, even if you are not religious but you have the spirit for singing. Or just to see it up close, this church is beautiful and worth a look.

Kind of crazy rating a church, but just want to share my experience. Happened to be walking by,…read moredecided to stop in, and there was a Saturday morning mass going on. The priest gave a VERY thoughtful sermon. Then afterwards greeted each person as they left. He must have picked up on my American accent, asked if I had breakfast, and invited me back to the rectory with the other priests for a really great conversation. I think he's a man who really likes people. He's traveled a lot, and I think that he also really likes visitors. Anyway, he said that the weather was perfect for a boat trip to Greenwich, wrote the directions out for me and then sent me on my way. I never would have though to use my free day in London doing that, but he was absolutely right. It was a great day.

I've never rated a church before, but perhaps I should as there is certainly a big difference…read morebetween them. Our Lady of Pity and St Simon Stock will always hold a special memory for me. It was my parish church whilst growing up in Putney and indeed, I got married here. As vixff says, the building is not architecturally special, with the main focal point being the altar with the crucifix. It is bright inside the church has a very comforting feel. Canon Quinlan, I believe, is still the parish priest there and is a wonderfully friendly man. The church itself is tucked away in a back road off Upper Richmond Road/Putney Hill, but its congregation is quite large and it does have a good community spirit.

One of two parish churches, the other one being St Josephs Tilehurst. This church gets full on…read moreSaturday evenings and Sundays, and also has masses during the week. The congregation is mainly middle-aged or elderly, there are few young adults. As the congregation is fairly small (800-ish I am told by the church secretary) the priests tend to know most people and the ambiance is nicely personal. There are few church "activities" as such. They could use some good musicians for mass; there is an organ but no choir or creative worship. The church itself is well heated, airy, and light. Carpeted, with dark wood pews, wooden Stations of the Cross, and modern-looking front of the church. The sound system works well.