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

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!

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.

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.

12/09/2018: Despite the fact, I live in Placerville CA USA, I always make certain I attend a…read morechurch service close to where I'm residing, i.e., that's ANYWHERE on the Planet. The church service at 6:30 PM was a very special blessing: My first church attendance in UK, I had the pleasure witnessing several Baptisms especially, Song-Shi hailing from Seoul, South Korea . . . Jag-eun sesang, majayo, Song-Shi? Anyway, the Pastor of Metropolitan Tabernacle gave his Isaiah 1:1-2 sermon: Certainly, the Pastor's sermon was quite similar to the Baptist Pastors' sermons via Vallejo CA where I was baptised. I wasn't surprised or astonished regarding the Pastor's sermon this evening; everything the Pastor stated was aligned with USA Baptist Pastors: The differences were the repeated chants after each person was baptized, the hymns sung were absolutely unfamiliar, and grammatically, the distinct usage of thee and thou were sung throughout each Hymn.

I love the services, the preaching and singing! Praise God for brothers and sisters around the…read moreworld, that hold to Traditional worship and teaching!

http://childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/…read more I would entreat everyone to look at the findings of the Australian Royal Commission, as linked above. The Jehovah's Witnesses have severe problems with child sexual abuse in their organisation. This is established fact, not "Apostate driven lies and dishonesties" as Stephen Lett said. Further, domestic violence and the extreme physical punishment of children are alarmingly common. For further information about the Jehovah's Witnesses, please visit JWfacts.com

I love to come here for the mid-day concerts as well as the special Christmas concerts. Today it…read moreis a piano recital. Lovely!

This is a famous church by the architect Christopher Wren. Built in the 17th century it is quite…read morequaint. I don't come here to pray or attend the services. I come here because they have musicians who perform mainly classical scores every Wednesday and Friday at 1:10 pm. The programs are varied and last about an hour. You can look up the programs on the church website. Donations are voluntary and greatly appreciated. Highly recommend as a quiet place to relax to music in this very busy city. There is a a small park nearby with benches. A quiet place to enjoy a sandwich or rest from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Beautiful inside, just off the Marylebone High Street and worth a visit even if you're not…read moreattending services. They do a mass in Latin on Sundays which is really interesting if you haven't experienced it. The whole service isn't in Latin, just some of the traditional chants and responses so you can still expect the familiarity of a mass in English

St Martin in the Fields is right in Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. This corner of…read moreTrafalgar Square hosts the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery as well as swanky hotels. The church of St Martin in the Fields is a historic church in central London. This significant parish church has a vast history. It has stood on this prime London site since 1222. Although the church is probably photographed by almost every visitor who arrives in Trafalgar Square, the view that most people take is from the south side of the square, near Nelson's column and the four lions As you stand in Trafalgar Square amidst the pigeons and with Nelson's Column towering over you, stand back and admire the grandeur of this incredible church. You may recognize it from the annual New Year celebrations nearby or films like Notting Hill.

Had our schedule permitted us time to see a classical music performance at St. Martin in the…read moreFields, I assume we would've had a better impression of the venue. Instead, we came for lunch in their crypt; my obsession with the macabre wouldn't let me pass up this hidden cafe, but the food left much to be desired. In true cafeteria style, you grab a tray & move down the line, pointing at items that staff members load onto your plate. We chose a few items to share: something that looked like chicken tenders with sides of mashed potato & peas, pasta salad, a veggie pie, & Victoria sponge cake. Seating area was quite crowded. A unique setting to have a meal, if only the food tasted better.