St Charles Borromeo Church, Catholic church in Fitzrovia, London, England
St Charles Borromeo Church is a Catholic place of worship in Fitzrovia, London, built in the Gothic Revival style on Ogle Street. Its most notable feature is a 30-foot-high reredos decorated with two tiers of saints painted on slate behind the altar.
The church opened in 1863 under Cardinal Wiseman's leadership, with construction funded partly through an anonymous land donation by a supporter of the growing Catholic community. It was built to serve the expanding Catholic population in London during that period.
Inside, stained glass windows along the south aisle show religious figures that reflect the Catholic artistic tradition. These depictions of saints have been part of the church's visual identity for generations.
The church is located on Ogle Street in Fitzrovia and sits within easy walking distance of local transport connections. It remains an active place of worship, so visitors should be respectful and quiet while inside.
The nave contains an unusual octagonal immersion font created in 1984 through collaboration with Roman artists Mattia del Prete and Antonio Incognito. This later addition brings a modern artistic touch to the historic church interior.
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