The Cathedral's website [visit
link] tells us some history and background relating to the
building:
"The Greek Orthodox Church of All
Saints (a Grade 1 listed building), in the north London suburb of Camden Town,
was established following the request made to Metropolitan Germanos
(Strenopoulos) by a group of Greek-Cypriots for the creation of a second Greek
Orthodox church in London to meet the needs of the Orthodox Community under his
pastoral care, and which had grown rapidly following the influx of immigrants
after the Second World War.
The building they were allowed to
use was originally Anglican and had first been known as the Camden Chapel,
having been built in 1824 as part of Lord Camden's development area. The
architects were William Inwood and his son, Henry, who had recently completed
the nearby St. Pancras New Church. In both cases, they drew on Classical Greek
architecture for their inspiration. In the case of All Saints, the inspiration
for the tower had been Lysicrates' monument in Plaka in Athens (known from the
17th century as Diogenes' Lantern).
Of the Camden Chapel, the
architectural critic of the 'Literary Chronicle' wrote: 'On the whole, we
consider it highly creditable to the taste of the architects, and an acquisition
to the architectural beauties of the metropolis - (However,) when viewed at a
distance its general form is not particularly pleasing. The tower does not
harmonize well with the body of the structure. The building is most
advantageously seen at a short distance from the portico, where all the
beautiful details and execution of the front are conspicuous'. (Quoted by John
Richardson in 'Camden Town and Primrose Hill Past', 1991).
The building subsequently became
known as St. Stephen's Church and, later, as All Saints'. It was to suffer some
damage during the air-raids of the Second World War, doubtless on account of its
proximity to a number of important train termini.
The church was first used for
Orthodox worship in 1948, with the existing dedication of All Saints' being
retained. The first Orthodox liturgy was held at All Saints' on 25th April 1948
(Palm Sunday), with Archbishop Germanos of Thyateira & Great Britain and
Archimandrite Parthenios officiating. The church was later purchased by the
Community, and subsequently raised to Cathedral status, being consecrated by
Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain (who had previously served
as its parish priest) on 17th November, 1991. It celebrates its patronal feast
on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
Today, the galleried interior is
dominated by the icon screen that separates the apsed eastern portion of the
church from the main body of the building. This was carved by Chrysanthos K.
Taliadorou of Nicosia in 1974; and it was the same craftsman who was responsible
for the Holy Table and its ciborium. The main icons on the screen are
particularly impressive and come from the previous one, being attributed to a
Russian artist living in France, while the icons of the upper range reflect the
style of painting on the Island of Cyprus.
In the windows of the apse are three
stained-glass circular panels which probably date from the eighteenth century
and which would appear to be of Flemish or North German origin. They depict the
Baptism of Christ, His calling of little children to Himself, and (perhaps) the
Stoning of St. Stephen ' although this panel, unlike the other two, is
particularly badly damaged. All three panels are characterised by the rich
colour of the glass used. In addition, there is a depiction of the Raising of
Jairus' daughter, given in memory of the chaplain of a ship torpedoed during the
First World War.
Elsewhere in the church are to be
found icons and other liturgical objects that have been donated to the Community
over the years by members of the congregation and others."
As mentioned above the building is Grade
I listed and the entry at the English Heritage website [visit
link] tells us:
"Church, formerly Church of England,
now Greek Orthodox. 1822-24. By W & HW Inwood. Yellow stock brick with stone
east and west ends (west end painted); stone tower. Rectangular plan with apsed
chancel in Greek Revival style.
EXTERIOR: west end with tetrastyle
in antis semicircular portico of giant fluted Ionic columns carrying an
entablature which continues around the building, supported at west end angles by
pilasters. Antefixae to cornice. Above the portico, a circular stone tower
(based on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, Athens) with Ionic columns
supporting an entablature surmounted by a drum with clock faces and cross
finial. 3 square-headed entrances with surrounds of pilasters, cornice-head and
round-arched architrave; C20 wooden doors and reeded panelling above. North and
south facades with architraved round-arched windows having square-headed
surrounds. East end apse with round-arched windows linked by impost bands.
INTERIOR: with flat ceiling; 5 bays
with Ionic columns supporting galleries on 3 sides. Classical decorative detail
inspired by Henry William's travels in Greece. Chancel and nave now separated by
iconostasis.
HISTORICAL NOTE: originally built as
a chapel of ease to serve Lord Camden's new developments, it was known as the
Camden Chapel and only dedicated to All Saints in 1920. Loaned to the Greek
Orthodox Church in 1948."
The cathedral's website [visit
link] tells us of the times and days on which services are held:
"Every Sunday:
9.30 - 10.45 am -
Mattins
10.45 am - 12.45 pm - Divine Liturgy
Every Saturday:
5.00 - 5.45 pm -
Vespers
(6.00 - 6.45 pm in August)
For details of other services in the
week, please check our Latest News section.
Divine Liturgy in English
Last
Saturday of the month (except where this co-incides with the programme of
services in Greek - please check monthly programme for further
information)
10.30 - 11.45
am"