Great church, wonderful leadership, friendly people…read more A Word and a Spirit church: it's charismatic so come expecting to see the gifts of the Holy Spirit; it's also evangelical so expect to hear solid Biblical teaching. Currently meets in Sheen (address in listing is for the church office)., Check website for details of when and where the church meets.

I am not a church fan, I am not religious, but that doesn't mean I can't write about a church, does…read moreit? I am a fan of beautiful architecture and peaceful atmospheres. This is what this church offers. The church is situated on its own on the green area that encircles the north end of chiswick high road, it is surrounded by trees and bushes that even leafless (in winter) gives the area a gothic air. My favourite season to enjoy this place is autumn, cheesiness aside, the way the sun casts the churches shadow on to the grass is incredible, perfect to read a good book and relax. For those of you that may be actually interested in what services the church provides I did go in and found out. Their sunday service is 9:30 am and 11am, they also have a youth group and they have a children's care centre starting at 3 years old. I did also have a tour inside the church and the stained glass windows are stunning, usually the best part of visiting these buildings.

Petersham is quite unexpected: a true village within suburban London, sandwiched between Kingston…read moreand Richmond. The quaint and large Georgian brick-built church of St Peter lies just off the main road, a little corner of tranquillity away from the bustle beyond. It is thought a Saxon chapel existed here in the 8th century, and a church was mentioned in Domesday. The earliest part of the present structure, however, is the chancel, rebuilt in 1266 and now retaining a single simple lancet window. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1505 and again in the 1700s with the expansion of the transepts, which effectively reorientated the church north-south. The south side was enlarged again in 1840, but has been little altered since. Inside, the feeling is overwhelmingly of a well-loved Georgian chapel, with high box pews and galleries, a lofty hexagonal pulpit with a spiral staircase, and round-headed windows with pale glass. There are two memorials of note: a fine Jacobean memorial to George Cole (d. 1624) and his wife, and in the churchyard, that of George Vancouver (1757-1798), whose expedition in 1791-5 charted the north west coasts of America and Canada. On my visit the church had two delightful and informative welcomers.

Lovely people, very caring and welcoming.read more

This church was small but the parishioners were so friendly. The priests were so helpful and super…read morenice to everyone. It was very beautiful and nice place for worship. There was a very awesome Vietnamese priest named Quan quý Nguyễn presided here with two other priests. Will stop by again if we are visiting again in the future.one more thing I would like to add is that to my surprises that most of the masses we attended they were all full compared to other churches.

The first purpose built mosque in the UK. It is also considered as a must see for tourists in…read morelondon due to its historical significance. It was from this mosque that Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Qaid-e Azam) gave his speech stating that he would return to politics and to India (from where he retired due to on going difficulties) in order to continue his campaign for an independent state. He was successful in this campaign and Pakistan was formed in 1947. There are many other famous people who have visited this mosque. Upon requst all the old photos of the above events can be seen as well as a photo of what the mosque and surrounding area was like around the 1920s. A famous prophecy is also linked to this mosque; During the time of the world war God revealed to some of the worshippers of the mosque that anybody within the confines of this mosque would be safe from danger. This prophecy was put to the test when a bomb landed at the site failing to detonate and without causing any damage. Visitors who intend to visit the mosque should be aware that due to the significance and history of the mosque there is tight security and checks are carried out on every visitor without fail. Please take proof of ID and carry minimal things as bags need to be left at security. It is also recommend that once in the mosque it is a good idea to make a prayer as it is common that the majority of the prayers are accepted here. The mosque is open to all and you will find many of the worshippers are extremely friendly and do not mind being stopped to answer any question or have a general chit-chat. Do not be suprised if somebody offers to take you home for a cup of tea or snacks! May God bless you all!

This is my favourite mosque in London. This is the blessed mosque and has really historic life.read more

This lovely church in Soho Square was once the home of…read moreCasanova's lover Mrs Cornelys & their daughter was conceived here when it was once one of the most fashionable addresses in London. Now it holds magnificent services. I went to the funeral of Pearl here, wife of John Bermiston, a publican in nearby Fitzrovia's Northumberland Arms

As a temporary resident of London (student abroad) who was looking for a church to go to Mass…read moreduring my period of stay, I am very happy to having found this church. It's ambiance is respectful but not overly so (in the sense that no one will seem to want to criticize you if you just so happen to drop your jacket/book during Mass). There were a variety of types of people during my time there, and everywhere I looked, I was greeted with a smile. The music was all very pleasant, especially due to the fantastic acoustics of the stone walled church! Overall, if I were to ever find myself in London again on a Sunday, I'll be making my way here.

There's not much to add to Templar's comprehensive review: still regarded by many as one of the…read moremost important centres in the Anglo-Jewish community, the Bevis Marks Synagogue is beautifully maintained. It is strongly reminiscent of the Wren and Hawksmoor churches of the City in its classical architecture and furnishings, which include impressive brass candelabra and 17th century wooden benches. The Synagogue's tradition is Orthodox, so men and women are separated: men on the ground floor, women in the galleries. Their opening hours (for visits) are slightly longer than advertised on their website, so it's worth contacting them ahead of a trip to London if you want to pay a call. Tourists (as opposed to those attending services) are asked to pay £3 for entry, and men are asked to wear a skull cap - one will be provided if you don't have one. Your bags may also be searched. They sell a small range of postcards and books at the entrance.

Situated in a secluded courtyard, the Bevis Marks Synagogue was opened in 1701 to serve the Spanish…read more& Portuguese Jewish Congregation. Today it is one of the best-preserved houses of worship of its period still in regular use. The Inquisition, revived by Ferdinand and Isabella, turned its attention to these crypto-Jews, and from the last years of the fifteenth century, they: were systematically persecuted, arrested, tortured, tried, and burnt at the stake. From about this time there was a constant exodus of 'Marranos' who succeeded in escaping from Spain and Portugal or its dependencies to avoid persecution and a small number of them reached Protestant England. Outwardly, they were obliged to behave as Christians, for at that time Jews were not allowed officially, to enter the country, but at any rate they could live there, provided that they behaved with circumspection, and could meet in secret in each others' houses for prayer. The first Jewish house of worship of the resettlement of the Jews in England was as opened in 1656 in the upper floor of a house in Creechurch Lane, which is but a stone's throw from the present Synagogue in Bevis Marks The site of this house is today marked by a plaque, on the rear corner of Cunard House in Creechurch Lane. Jews were permitted to return to Britain in 1657 under Oliver Cromwell. They felt that the time was opportune to present a petition in the form of a humble address to Oliver Cromwell asking for the official re?admittance of the Jews to England Their decision was no doubt a wise one, as Cromwell, reared in a Puritanical atmosphere with its emphasis on the Old Testament was likely to hear favourably any petition presented by the 'people of the Old Testament'. Some of the most eminent figures of Anglo-Jewry sat at prayer in the Synagogue such as Sir Moses Montefiore. Disraeli was born into the Congregation and there are links to the Rothschilds. Today it is regarded as the most distinguished British Synagogue. The magnificent wooden Ark or cupboard) resembling a reredos, at the east end, is built in classical architecture in the manner of Sir Christopher Wren's time. It contains (as is the custom in Jewish synagogues') the sacred scrolls of' the Pentateuch, or five books of Moses, written in Hebrew on parchment, which are read in consecutive instalment over the period of a year as the central feature of the Sabbath Service. Several splendid seventeenth century vestments and silver ornaments belonging to the scrolls survive. The entablature of the Ark has as its central feature the Ten Commandments written in Hebrew (abbreviated), above which are inscribed in Hebrew the words 'Know before Whom thou standest'. The silver hanging Sanctuary Lamp, burning perpetually before the Ark, was presented by Edward Foligno in 1876 and evidently replaces an earlier example, now lost. Except for the addition of the doors to the Banca or Wardens' pews and to the Haham's or Chief Rabbi's seat in 1787, and of the choirstalls in about 1830, the ancient synagogue has remained virtually unchanged. Electric light was installed in 1929 Even though recently restored, the interior has barely changed since it was built. It is in the style of many Nonconformist chapels of the period. The influence of Sir Christopher wren is also evident. The Synagogue has one of the finest collections of Cromwellian and Queen Anne furniture in the country and the magnificent brass candelabra with glowing candlelight. On 19th December 1951 the Congregation held a Service to celebrate the 250th anniversary, of the opening of the Synagogue which was attended by the Duke of Edinburgh. On 22nd March 1956 British Jewry held a Service of dedication and thanksgiving at the Synagogue on the tercentenary of the resettlement of the Jews in the British Isles. Twelve pillars, symbolising the tribes of Israel, support the ladies' gallery, the reading desk and Echal are flanked by 10 candlesticks representing the Ten Commandments; and the interior is dominated by seven magnificent candelabra, corresponding to the days of the week. One of the great oak beams supporting the roof is said to have been presented by Princess (later Queen) Anne. In 1992 and 1993 the synagogue suffered great damage from terrorist bomb attacks on the City of London. Nearly £200,000, raised by donation, has since been spent in repairing and renovating the structure