Church of St Mary and St Michael

The Church of St Mary and St Michael is a Roman Catholic church at Lukin Street in Tower Hamlets designed in Gothic Revival style. The building features distinctive elements including diagonal buttresses, an embattled parapet, and a prominent west tower with an attached stair turret.

Construction took place between 1852 and 1856, and at its completion it was the largest Roman Catholic church in London. The building gained Grade II listed status, preserving its importance as a significant Victorian-era religious structure in the city.

The church serves as a gathering place for the Roman Catholic community in East London, offering regular worship and community gatherings throughout the year. It remains deeply connected to the neighborhood's spiritual life and local traditions.

The church is situated in a busy area with good public transport connections and several nearby bus stops within walking distance. Visitors planning to attend services should arrive during scheduled times, which can be checked in advance.

Father James Webb, the church's first Parish Priest, was the last priest in England to face prosecution under the Penal Laws against Catholics. This connection reveals the building's significance in the broader story of Catholic emancipation in Britain.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

GPS coordinates: 51.51365,-0.05216

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:40