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

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

ABUSIVE, 80% BORING, AND NOT CARING ABOUT CHILDREN'S SAFETY:…read more THEY ARE FILTHY CROOKS. And the sermons delivered by their pastors (not their guests I have seen so far this year) at the Central London branch are SO boring!!! I have not heard such boring messages since I became a born again Christian and I think we have not since the world began. What is going on? They are SO pathetic!!! God sees. God agrees. Of course. On Sunday 23/11/2025 at Hillsong Church Central London at Dominion Theatre there was a serious incident. *A female church volunteer deliberately* endangered my precious sons Jeremiah and Ethan who are 10 and 8 years old by providing us with wrong information at the start of the service. As I raised concerns about this potentially dangerous misinformation, do you know what their response was? Three security staff and a Hillsong church female staff member attempted to terrorize and threaten me, and they vigorously defended the hypocrite female volunteer who deliberately gave me the wrong information endangering two young children, how evil! The female church staff member's behavior stemmed from jealousy (it was 100% jealousy getting her to attempt to terrorize and threaten me like that, the confidence she tried to exhibit after the church service was extremely fake, she wanted to give the impression that I am the one in the wrong and she has finally done the right thing mistreating me the way she did at the start of the church service, cock and bull story, her jealousy is monstrous) and honestly I don't care because I have other important *GOOD* things to do in this world. I passed kindergarten and I am very focused. After the church service, three of the security staff at Dominion Theatre continued their harassment. I was forcibly escorted out with Jeremiah and Ethan by two of the security staff (without having caused a scene during the church service, no) while my precious son Ty who is 16 had gone to the restroom. The two security staff refused to let me re-enter the hall to get my precious son Ty after forcibly escorting Jeremiah, Ethan and I out. Only one man who attended the church service intervened, asking the abusive two security staff to allow me back inside to get my third child, but they still denied me that. I very much thanked that man who intervened. I then spotted my son Ty, who, noticing my absence in the hall, was calling my phone to find out where I was; I had to shout his name for him to come to me. They wouldn't let me go back inside to get my own child? It highlights how fitting the term "FILTHY CROOKS" is for them. A third security staff mocked us, laughing at me, Jeremiah and Ethan. I contacted news outlets like SKY News to expose the way I was mistreated. Yesterday 30/11/2025, as we went to church my precious children and I for God, I was told by one of the abusive security staff from the previous Sunday that Hillsong Church Central London has refused that I continue to attend their church. Someone called Steve, a church representative I believe, spoke to me and confirmed this. They mentioned an email was sent to me about it. I told them I had not received that email which is true. THEIR JEALOUSY IS DISGUSTING AND MONSTROUS! And ugly. What they don't know is that the night before God, who is always on my side, revealed a secret to me and instructed me not to disclose it until after I attended church yesterday and witnessed their actions. God clearly stated: "NOT THIS TIME", in a very strong and powerful manner. I wonder what God meant. God spoke that against those at Hillsong who support my mistreatment, showing me, assuring me, that he is on my side. He is definitely infinity percent not with them when it comes to the way they treated me the previous Sunday and yesterday. THANK YOU SO MUCH, LORD! YES!!! Please FIRE and BAN the three abusive security staff, the abusive jealous female church staff and that female volunteer who deliberately gave me wrong information. Shut down their evil. For good. Now. THANK YOU. Patricia Wagner

It's always great to visit this church here in Bloomsbury, the community are friendly and you feel…read morelike you're home around your family!

St Mary's is the old parish church of Putney, and is a distinctive local landmark, located at the…read moresouth end of Putney bridge. History The parish dates back to at least 1292, although there may have been a church here earlier. But the most important historical period was during the English Civil War, when the headquarters of Cromwell's army was briefly located at Putney. In 1647, meetings of the Army Council were held in the Chancel of the church. These discussions - known as the 'Putney Debates' - covered subjects connected with the future government of the country. Although their contemporary impact was modest, some view them as foreshadowing modern Parliamentary democracy, and they may have influenced the American Declaration of Independence and the subsequent US Constitution. The church The church today is a mixture of styles from over the centuries: the most distinctive external feature is the tower, which dates from the mid 15th century, as do some of the arcades in the nave. However, the church was substantially rebuilt in 1836, when the nave was widened, and new aisles built in yellow brick. The windows also date from this period, albeit in a Perpendicular Gothic style in keeping with the nave arcade. An interesting feature is the Bishop West chapel, which dates from the 16th century. This was moved from the south side to the present north side in the 1836 rebuilding. Though whitewashed, it has attractive fan vaulting, with bosses of the Bishop's Coat of Arms. However, the present internal appearance of the church dates from 1973, when it was severely damaged by an arson attack. Rebuilding was not completed until 1982. As part of this work, the opportunity was taken to re-orientate the church through 90 degrees, so the altar is now on the former north wall, and the pews have been replaced by modern chairs. The resulting space now feels very contemporary, despite the essentially mediaeval and 19th century structure around it. On the south wall is a small room displaying the history of Putney Debates. To the south of the church is the Brewer centre, a recent addition which includes community space and, on the ground floor, a modern cafe, which serves light meals and snacks. This also allows entry into the church when the main direct entrance is closed. St Mary's is part of the busy (and large) parish of Putney which also includes All Saints church on Putney Common. Worship at St Mary's is inclusive, using a modern language Eucharist, with a quieter service in the evenings.

Love Putney pantry right next to the st. Mary's church . It's like a sanctuary place where I come…read moreconstantly to relax and work and drink tea. Their tea ware is so classy and Victorian-esque and I like the smell of oriental lilies ... Relaxing ~~~~~~~~

Tucked away on Farm Street, surrounded by residential mews and mansion blocks, the Jesuit Church of…read morethe Immaculate Conception could almost define the phrase 'hidden gem'. It is worth making a special effort to visit. The church itself was built in 1844-49 as a base for the Jesuit order in London, following the Catholic emancipation of 1829. The architect behind this jewel was Joseph John Scoles (1798-1863). He designed a number of Roman Catholic churches and, on the basis of the Immaculate Conception alone, deserves to be better known. For its early date, it is a remarkably confident, and accomplished, example of Gothic Revival. The facade is a fair introduction to the church, the (liturgical) west door surmounted by a striking Decorated Gothic west window, filled with delicate tracery in a bold rose design. But the interior steps up a gear: eight bays of clustered marble-clad columns, tall clerestory windows flooding the interior with light, all drawing the eye to the chancel and the high altar. The nave and chancel ceilings are stencilled and painted, the aisles vaulted. Every surface is covered with marble or decoration, the aisle chapels filled with sculpture and intricate blind arcading. Most notable is the chancel reredos, designed by Pugin, the stone brilliantly gilded, but there are some interesting side chapels too, one of which has a sculpture of "The Homeless Christ", showing Him wrapped up on a life-sized park bench. It became a parish church in 1966 and also has a significant ministry of outreach to refugees, young adults, LGTB+ Catholics, Japanese and Filipino congregations, and those considering returning to the faith. It also has a notable reputation for music. The church is open every day, with daily masses and confession.

Looking for something beautiful and quiet, off-the-beaten track in London? This is one of them. The…read moreChurch is absolutely breath taking - both the exterior and interior. The surrounding park (Mount Street Gardens) are also well kept and very beautiful. Try and stop by to explore both the Church and the gardens if you're in the Mayfair area.

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.

Whether you've lost your way in life or are looking for a refreshing take on Christianity, Holy…read moreTrinity Brompton Anglican church or HTB will be right there to help guide you. A far cry from a force religion on you church. The atmosphere is welcoming and the messages delivered are applicable to my life all year around. Church services generally last for about and hour and a half. HTB also teaches a three month Alpha Course, which helps to answer some of the most basic questions about life.

Love everything about this church!…read more I love the Alpha Program that they have founded and spread all over the globe! It is such an open and accepting place to have faith based conversations! A place that is non judgmental and welcoming to everyone's thoughts and opinions. My most recent trip to London we flew in Sunday morning and made it over to Holy Trinity Brompton for an evening service! Most of the church was away for their annual Church Camping Retreat but we still enjoyed the service so much! People were welcoming and kind and we felt right at home! I so respect the Nicky and Pippa Gumble and their life work!

Located just off busy Sloane Square, Holy Trinity is one of the Churches most closely associated…read morewith the Arts & Crafts movement in the UK, and is a stunning monument to late 19th century decorative art. Inspired by people like John Ruskin and William Morris, the movement triumphed hand-made craftsmanship in an age of emerging mass-production. Alongside aesthetic considerations was the belief that such skills were the hallmark of human creativity and endeavour, and the desire to provide work for artisans displaced by industrialisation. Their message was to make everyday objects beautiful, and to revere nature through crafts, painting and architecture. The church was built for the 5th Earl Cadogan by the architect John Sedding, and decorated and furnished by the likes of William Morris, Edward Brunes-Jones and Henry Wilson. The handsome west frontage is in orange-red brick with banded stone decoration, with a huge perpendicular window. The interior plan is straightforward: a wide nave (wider than St Paul's Cathedral) and spacious north aisle, and a smaller south aisle. These lead to a short chancel and sanctuary, which sits beneath an enormous East Window. But it is the rich fittings and furnishings which catch the eye. No expense was spared: there is an abundance of marble, porphyry, alabaster, bronze and gilt. As well as astonishing stained glass - the East Window is William Morris's largest - every item, from the light fittings to the screens and railings - is elaborately conceived and executed. A visit is a must if you are in the area - and a welcome distraction from the retail temptations close by. The church also has a very active worship and music programme - see website for details. At Christmas, it is also renowned for selling one of the best selections of charity Christmas Cards in London.

St Philip, Earl's Court Road, is technically in Kensington (being north of Cromwell Road) but is so…read moreclose to Earl's Court, that it is usually thought of as serving the latter. The church is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and it has had an interesting, not to say fairly chequered, history over the years. It was built in 1857-8 to the designs of Thomas Johnson of Lichfield, and substantially enlarged in 1863. Its origins are tied up in the complex pattern of church building in 19th century Kensington, which saw Church of England churches built at an extraordinary density, even for London: as the area grew, existing churches of different styles of worship vied with each other to establish new church plants: the Survey of London lists no fewer than seven in the area between Earl's Court and Kensington Square, an area of rather less than two square miles. St Philip's was an offshoot of St Barnabas, Addison Road, and began life as a rented room at the corner of Warwick Gardens and Pembroke Gardens, to cater for the area's rapidly growing population. A church seating 1,000 - for a population of 2,500 (!) - was proposed, and built in under a year. The style is late Decorated Gothic, and executed in yellow stock brick with stone dressings. As built, it had a five-bay nave with north and south aisles, and a south porch, and a thin bell tower. The clerestory has attractive circular windows, variously with sexfoil, trefoil or rosette tracery. As the population expanded, Johnson was called upon to design an enlarged south aisle with a gallery, to provide an extra 400 seats. This was completed in 1863, the south aisle being enlarged to the same size as the nave. A reredos of Caen stone and alabaster was also installed at this point, along with a font. The church entered a period of decline after 1877, partly due to the unpopularity of the Vicar, Walter Pennington, described by a contemporary source as 'a disgrace to his sacred office'. However, the decline must also be attributed to the building of two new churches within the parish: St Matthias's, Warwick Road, and St Cuthbert's, which inevitably attracted some of St Philip's congregation. After his departure, the new vicar, William Smale, paid for repairs and improvements, including decoration of the sanctuary. Further improvements came just before the First World War, when a new organ was installed, along with an impressive reredos in a late mediaeval style by Sir Walter Tapper (1861-1935), an assistant of the famous Church architect G F Bodley, and architect of The Annunciation, Marble Arch. The only major change thereafter was the replacement in 1966 of those stained glass windows destroyed during the Second World War. The church underwent a major rebuilding programme in 2005 to convert the chancel and various outbuildings to housing, and the south aisle to provide a parish hall below and offices above, and the brick interior has been painted cream throughout. This has radically altered the internal appearance, although key features of the architecture, such as the nave arcades, have been retained. The East Window has been installed as a 'false window' above the High Altar, and backlit; elsewhere, the original windows and their glass have been retained, and the impressive reredos - easily the best furnishing - now forms the backdrop of a Chapel in the north aisle. Modern (and comfortable) seating has been installed, along with (slightly more dubiously) very futuristic high-tech grey metal chandeliers. But, overall, it presents an attractive worship space, if one which is very different in feel from the original. The style of worship is traditional middle-of-the-road Anglican, with a very active Sunday School and a small but friendly congregation. The church is now organised as part of the team ministry of St Mary Abbots, Kensington.

I used to worship here when I lived in London, although I left before the changes were made in the…read moreredevelopment. The rebuilt interior is intimate as a worship space and the congregation are friendly and welcoming, with refreshments on offer after the main Sunday service. The worship style is 'low' and middle-of-the-road Anglican - something it seems is getting harder to find these days! There's also a Sunday School for children. The church is about a five minute walk from Earl's Court tube, and the C1 bus stops close by in both directions.