As the founding place of the Church of England, London has amassed a great many religious buildings not only of the Christian sect, but of many other faiths too. The diversity, job opportunities and the sheer size of the city means that more than 1.7 million of its citizens speak a different first language to English. With this fact comes greater religious diversity too. Guests of hotels in Old Street London will be able to see the religious diversity of the city just by walking down the Shoreditch streets.
Whatever your beliefs, appreciating the architecture of these beautiful buildings is a great way to introduce yourself to the city. This blog will explore some of the most awe-inspiring places of worship in London. Both new and old, guests of the Montcalm Royal London House needn’t travel far to appreciate these incredible monuments to religion.
St Pancras Old Church
St Pancras Old Church dates back to 314 AD, so it really does earn its name. One of the oldest Christian churches in the country, the beautiful interior belies hundreds of years of development, whilst its graveyard acts as the resting place for the likes of famous architect Sir John Soanes.
St John The Evangelist Chapel
Guests of the Montcalm London City will probably have heard of the Tower of London, but this Chapel, situated within the White Tower, has existed since the 1070s when it was built for William the Conqueror. Over the years, many of those executed in the tower would pray here before their beheadings, and to this day, the chapel is used by Yeoman Warders who still live and work on site.
The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Moving into different religions prevalent in London, the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was built in the mid-90s using traditional methods of construction. The largest Hindu temple outside of India, this is a must visit for anyone interested in Eastern religions and how they navigate the Western world.
Bevis Marks Synagogue
Dating all the way back to the early 18th century, the Bevis Marks Synagogue was built by Portuguese and Spanish Jews who had been exiled from mainland Europe. It’s still used as a synagogue today but due to its beauty, non-believers can visit for its tantalising jewish delicacies.
Regent’s Park Mosque
Regent’s Park Mosque is beautiful, inside and out, and can hold up to 5000 worshippers during the call to prayer. With traditional minarets and a golden domed roof, Regent’s Park Mosque was opened in the late 70s.
Temple of Mithras
Whilst this Roman mystery religion, dedicated to the cult god Mithras is no longer practised in the modern world, the discovery of these ruins in the 1950s showed that Roman soldiers worshipped more than just the traditional faith of their empire. Now located underneath the Bloomberg building in the Bank area, the Temple of Mithras is a free-to-visit museum that includes beautiful Roman artefacts, soundscapes and light shows, certainly providing a unique perspective on worship in London.
