St Paul's Bow Common, Brutalist church building in Tower Hamlets, England
St Paul's Bow Common is a modern church in Tower Hamlets built from concrete and shaped like an octagon. A geometric glass lantern set into the ceiling above floods the central altar area with light, creating an open and luminous prayer space.
The original Victorian church standing on this site was destroyed during the Second World War, requiring a complete rebuilding. Architects Robert Maguire and Keith Murray designed this new concrete structure between 1958 and 1960.
The church takes its name from the nearby Bow stream that flows through this part of London. Visitors notice the striking mosaic made with Italian Murano glass depicting angels, created by Charles Lutyens, which forms a spiritual focal point inside.
The building is fully accessible at ground level with no steps throughout. It opens on Monday and Thursday evenings for community use and can be rented for gatherings and events.
In 2013 the church received recognition as one of the finest modern places of worship built in the United Kingdom since 1953. This distinction highlights its architectural importance in British post-war design.
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