St James-the-Less, Bethnal Green

St James-the-Less is an Anglican church in Bethnal Green built with a mix of yellow, red, and white brickwork. The building features a square southwest tower with a pointed spire and a semi-circular apse typical of Romanesque Revival design from the 1800s.

The church was built between 1840 and 1842 as a Commissioners' Church to serve the expanding local community. It underwent major rebuilding after suffering serious bomb damage during World War II, with its structure renewed to preserve the original design.

The church displays the Victorian color scheme with yellow, red, and white bricks that defines the local streetscape. This choice was typical for parish churches of the 1800s and makes the building immediately recognizable as you walk by.

The church is located on St James Avenue and is accessible to visitors interested in exploring religious architecture. Regular worship services are held, and the building remains open for those who wish to see the interior.

The building was Grade II listed in 1973, marking official recognition of its architectural importance and local heritage value. Stained glass windows designed by Keith New were installed around 1959, bringing colorful artistic details to the Romanesque Revival structure.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Architectural style: Romanesque Revival architecture

Website: http://stjamesthelessbg.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.53183,-0.04787

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:23