Also known as the London Oratory and the Oratory of St Philip Neri, the Brompton Oratory was built in 1884 in the Italian Baroque style. This Roman Catholic church has many a celebrity parishioner, including Tony and Cherie Blair. It lies on the Brompton Road, next to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Brompton Oratory has strong ties with the nearby London Oratory School, and serves as its 'official' church for all holy days of obligation.

The Church still belongs to and is served by the Congregation of the London Oratory. There are five daily Masses on weekdays (including a Latin one at 6pm), four on Saturday, and nine between 7am and 7pm on Sunday. The architect won a competition with his design in 1826, with the specification of 'Italian Renaissance' style. Despite this, the architecture echoes Baroque and Wren, and the church is noted for its marble columns and altar rails, vaulted dome, mosaics, and carvings in wood and stone.

The church also has some notable Italian Baroque sculpture: The Twelve Apostles by Giuseppe Mazzuoli (1644-1725) acquired from Siena Cathedral in 1895 and the Lady Altar, with sculptures by Tommaso Rues (1650-1690), from Brescia.

As well as celebrity parishioners Brompton Oratory has seen the marriages of a fair few celebrity couples: Edward Elgar and Alice Roberts in 1889, Matyla Ghyka and Eileen O'Conor in 1918, and in 1926 Alfred Hitchcock and Alma Reville. It is also said to have been a favourite secret location for the exchange of intelligence for the KGB during the Cold War. The most popular site for 'drop-offs' was allegedly behind the two pillars next to the Pieta marble statue. And if after a visit you feel like another brush with the great and good, head down to local restaurant Aubane, where Fathers of the Brompton Oratory can be regularly spotted enjoying a good old fish supper.

Brompton Oratory

Brompton Rd, London SW7 2RP

Opening time:

6:30 am - 8 pm