St Mary of Eton

St Mary of Eton is a brick church in Hackney Wick with red walls and stone details, shaped by architect George Frederick Bodley. The interior features a tall nave and a painted rood screen that gives the building its distinctive Victorian character.

The building was constructed between 1890 and 1892 as part of the Eton Mission, which provided aid and spiritual care to east London's residents. When St Augustine Church closed in 1953, the two congregations combined into a single parish.

The church served as a gathering place for young people and held deep roots in the community life of Hackney Wick. You can sense this connection to local residents in how the interior spaces are arranged and maintained.

The building underwent major restoration work in 2013 and 2014, including interior improvements and conversion of nearby mission buildings into residential spaces. The location in Hackney Wick is accessible by public transport and sits within an area with several other historic sites to explore.

The church was the birthplace of the 59 Club, a Church of England youth organization that grew into an influential movement across London. This connection shows how important this building became for young people's culture in the 20th century.