Long Description:
This church is unusual in that it is boxed-in amongst other
buildings and apart from the forecourt would appear to have no open ground
attached to it.
The church's website (visit link) tells
us some of the church's history:
"All Saints Margaret Street is a Victorian church in
Fitzrovia, near Oxford Street, London. It is regarded as one of the foremost
examples of High Victorian Gothic achitecture in Britain.
It was designed in 1850 by William Butterfield, an
architect strongly associated with Gothic revival church building and the Oxford
Movement. Completed in 1859, the red brick church was built around a small
courtyard with an adjoining vicarage and a choir school.
The interior is noted for its rich decoration and
beautiful fittings - a true "hidden gem" in the streets of central
London.
Sir John Betjeman, the poet, writer and enthusiastic
advocate of heritage and architecture said of All Saints:
"It was here, in
the 1850s, that the revolution in architecture began...It led the way, All
Saints Margaret Street, in church building."
Today the church enjoys Grade 1 listed building status.
The church is a living house of prayer and is cherished by all who worship here
for its sacred atmosphere and magnificent heritage."
As mentioned in the foregoing, the church is Grade I listed
and the entry at the English Heritage website (visit
link) tells us:
"Church, clergy house and vestry with forecourt and
screen wall. 1849-59 by William Butterfield. Red brick with vitreous brick
diaper and banding, occasional stone dressings, slate roofs - a key High
Victorian design and model church of the Camden Society, with innovative use of
decoration. Bold, indeed 'Brutalist' Gothic. The church set back with lofty
broach spired tower with sheer brick walls, the porch in angle of forecourt at
its foot. Marble clustered columns and polychrome brickwork internally. The
clergy house and vestry flank the forecourt with similar brick banding and
finialled gables, pointed arched doorways and 2 and 3 light sash windows under
cambered heads with blind pointed arched patterned brick tympana; they are
linked by low stone weather capped forecourt wall with central gabled gateway.
Good iron gates and railings to basement area in front and 2 decorative
lampstandards. William Butterfield; P. Thompson."
The blue notice board attached to the wall of the church
advises that the church is open daily from 7am to 7pm.
The church website (visit link) advises
of the times of services:
"The worship of Almighty God is at the heart of our life
at All Saints Margaret Street and is a daily event.
Through our shared discipline, we contribute to the
rhythm of prayer of the Church throughout the world.
Our major service each week is High Mass on Sunday
morning at 11am. The congregation includes many visitors from all over the
world, as well as many regular, long-standing parishioners.
All Saints is a diverse and inclusive congregation. All
people are welcome to our fellowship and invited to share our common life.
Please allow time when you attend to join us for
refreshment following High Mass. Services normally last 90
minutes.
Monday-Friday
7:30 am Morning Prayer
8:00
am Mass
1:10 pm Mass
6:00 pm Evening Prayer
6:30 pm
Mass
Confessions:
12.30-1.00pm and
5.30-6.00pm
Saturdays
7:30 am Morning Prayer
8:00 am
Mass
6:00 pm Evening Prayer
6:30 pm Mass (first Mass of
Sunday
Confessions:
5.30-6.00pm"
