St Peter's Church, Walworth

St Peter's Church is a Georgian place of worship in Walworth featuring tall arched windows set within recesses and constructed with London stock brick combined with stone details. The underground crypt has been converted to house a digital arts center, IT facilities, conference rooms, and a public cafe serving the community.

This building was designed by architect John Soane as his first church project after the Napoleonic wars, funded under the Church Building Act of 1818. During World War II, the underground crypt sheltered hundreds of residents during air raids each night.

The church remains a focal point for the local community, hosting regular worship services and maintaining strong ties with the primary school next door. People gather here for prayer and community events that connect them to the neighbourhood.

The building sits on Walworth Road with parking available nearby and is straightforward to reach by public transport. Visitors can explore both the church itself and the modern facilities in the crypt, which welcomes people throughout the day.

The crypt provided shelter for between 600 and 900 people each night during air raids, making it a lifeline for the local population. This unexpected wartime role shows how a sacred building adapted to meet the community's urgent needs.

Location: London Borough of Southwark

Inception: 1823

Architects: John Soane

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

Website: http://stpeterswalworth.org

GPS coordinates: 51.48660,-0.09263

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:53