religious
Sir John Soane, 1826
St John on Bethnal Green, 200 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA
This grade one listed Sir John Soane church sits in the heart of the Bethnal Green in East London. Despite a fire in 1870, some original features remain. Visitors will have access to the church, belfry, galleries and crypt.
Liverpool Street, Bethnal Green
Liverpool Street, Cambridge Heath, Bethnal Green
D6, D3, 388, 309, 254, 106
Bus route 8 is also useful
Ramp access
The church building will be open:
Saturday, 9th 10am-4pm
Sunday, 10th 12pm-4pm
Saturday, 16th 10am-4pm
Sunday, 17th 12pm-4pm
The Church of St John on Bethnal Green was designed by Sir John Soane and was built between 1824-1828. This beautiful building is located in the heart of the East End on top of Bethnal Green underground station and was established to serve the local community within. It is now grade one listed and still has some of its original features.
As a church community, we are keen for the vast building to be a local resource for Bethnal Green across a range of social, cultural and spiritual uses. The north gallery and belfry are used to house art exhibitions and installations and the main body of the church is used as a performance space and has become a popular music venue.
The Crypt houses a number of local community groups: English classes, alternative therapies and medicines as well as an art room which offers stone carving, stained glass and mosaic classes.
In 2008 the contemporary British artist, Chris Gollon completed a commission to paint a new set of Stations of the Cross.
The 14 paintings are an important part of the spiritual life of St
Johns. Our intention is not to provide a set of religious answers; rather they are challenging and engaging to believers of all faiths and none.
