Although sometimes described as “one of the most beautiful churches in London,” this church is more than just a church that follows the Italian Catholic faith. of Italian church in London.
Officially known as St. Peter’s Italian Church, the church opened in 1863 to serve the local Italian community and still serves the local Italian community.
It has an impressive entrance on the busy Clerkenwell Road, and it is only when you look at the map that you realize that the layout is a bit odd, facing south-west, whereas east-facing churches are preferred. This is probably due to the previous road layout, as the church was built within George Yard, an open courtyard, and the entrance was inside the lower half of the courtyard with an alley leading to the Hutton Wall.
So the original address was 22 Hatton Wall.
OS map with overlay 1868
When the main Clerkenwell road penetrated the area between 1874 and 1878, the entrance was exposed to the new road and a much grander entrance was built next to the existing tower.
It was built to accommodate 2,000 people, but the September 26, 1863 issue of Builders magazine stated that there were plans for an extension behind the church to accommodate 3,400 people. The design was unique in Britain at the time, in the Roman basilica style (a rectangular base divided into aisles by columns), and was modeled on the church of San Crisogono in Trastevere in Rome.
Entering the church, the central nave is higher than the nave on either side and is Catholic in style, richly decorated at ground floor level and much brighter and rustic in the spaces above.
The altar space of the sanctuary is very richly decorated with Italian marble and paintings, and above it is the coat of arms of Pope Leo XIII, who was Pope when the church was built.
Like most Catholic churches, there are a number of chapels along the side walls, but the most important is the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose statue is removed every year and paraded through the local streets. It’s held around July, so if you’ve been to see it before, it’s worth attending.
Slightly hidden behind the church is one of the most impressive and rather dusty cribs I’ve ever seen.
But there’s something you can’t see: the bell known as the “Steel Monster.” He is one of London’s largest church bells, and the giant Great of St. Paul’s Cathedral is even larger (if slightly lighter) than Tom.
In London, only Big Ben in the Elizabeth Tower is larger and heavier.
As a Catholic church, it is usually open every day and you can feel free to stop by. There is also a guidebook inside the church that explains the meanings and decorations of the various chapels scattered throughout the church.
