Have you ever heard about the first Catholic church to be built in London after the Reformation? This magnificent building right in front of you is Saint Patrick’s Church, Soho Square, a place of worship and a testament to London’s rich history. This Grade II* listed building was built in 1891-1893 by John Kelly, replacing an earlier chapel built in the 1790s. Saint Patrick’s Church serves as a place of peace and spiritual guidance for many in the area.
The church features many eye-catching architectural elements, including a Roman-style porch with Corinthian columns. The inscription on the door reads: VT CHRISTIANI ITA ET ROMANI SITIS, meaning “Be ye Christians as those of the Roman Church.” This quote from Saint Patrick himself is a subtle nod to the church’s Irish heritage. It is no coincidence that this church bears the patron saint’s name, after all. Hundreds of Irish immigrants lived in this area in the 18th century, and their plight spurred the construction of the first chapel.
The interior of Saint Patrick’s Church is equally impressive. The church has an unusual longish shape due to plot constrictions. A high attic with gabled ends houses the vaulted ceiling. The tower and the main body of the church are built in red bricks. There are no aisles, but a series of side chapels, shrines, and confessionals are built in what would have been the place of the aisles. The nave ends in an apsidal sanctuary. The interior has a plain-glassed clerestory that runs along the north and south sides of the nave and along the west end wall, over the gallery. The west wall has a large round window. The barrel-vaulted ceiling is coffered.
Saint Patrick’s Church is a place of solace and beauty in the heart of London. The church is a reminder of the city’s enduring faith and its ability to adapt and change to embrace new communities and faiths. It is a place of peace and beauty, where you can find solace and connection to something greater than yourself. Don’t forget to take a moment to admire the grand inscription on its historic entrance.