ST MARY ABBOTS PARISH CHURCH
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        • Glass door sleepout 2024
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      • The Cathedral-like Interior
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The Cathedral-like Interior

"It's quiet, restful, with a warm atmosphere"                       "Quiet and atmospheric with wonderful stain-glass windows" 
     Early Churches of Kensington                               The Building of our Church                                       Sir George Gilbert Scott
​                         Wartime Damage                              The Cathedral-like Interior                     Famous Residents 

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​On entering the church, one's first impression is probably of its cathedral-like size, the length from east to west being 179 feet (55m), the greatest width across the transepts being 109 feet (34m) and the height of the roof over the nave being 72 feet (22m). The tower is placed in the north-east corner of the church which now seats up to 750.

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The high altar below the great east window is of marble on a wooden frame. The reredos (behind the alter) is of alabaster and marble with Italian pictorial mosaic panels showing the four Evangelists. The altar and reredos formed part of Sir George Gilbert Scott's original design, and were completed by his grandson Giles. 
​
The Florentine crucifix was added later. The two mosaics to either side of the reredos are dated 1882 by Salviati from Venice.


​
​​The sanctuary murals include, on the north wall, a large wall painting in oils entitled Feed my Sheep, showing the Risen Christ with 11 Apostles and with sheep grazing and resting. This mural has recently been restored and relit by the Friends of St Mary Abbots. 

​Two other wall panels on the south wall of the sanctuary and on either side of the sedilia are of the Virgin Mary and St Catherine. The murals were painted by John Clayton jnr.
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​The lectern was given to the church in memory of Mrs Elizabeth France who founded the Chapel of St Elizabeth of Hungary in the Kensington workhouse (later to become St Mary Abbots Hospital). Mrs France was the wife of one of the workhouse guardians. 

​The brass eagle follows the design of an earlier example in the Chapel of University College, Oxford, the pedestal following a similar example in Eton College, Chapel.


St Mary Abbots can be found on the corner of Kensington High Street and Church Street

This is a church of England Church.  All are welcome

The PCC of St Mary Abbots with Christ Church and St Philip is a Registered Charity : Number 1132235
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  • Home
  • Services
    • Sunday & Weekday Services
    • Family Eucharist
    • Baptism Sundays
    • Taize Eucharist
    • Healing Eucharist
    • Seasonal Services >
      • Candlemas
      • Ash Wednesday
      • Lent Reflections
      • Holy Week & Easter 2025
      • All Souls Service
  • Life events
    • Weddings
    • Baptism
    • Confirmation
    • Funerals
  • What is on
    • Royal College of Music Recitals
    • Nicene Anniversary talk
    • Georgia Symphony orchestra and Uzee Brown Society
  • Gallery
    • Railing Restoration Project
    • Access & Ramp Project
    • Lighting up the church
    • On-line Exhibition
  • About us
    • The Clergy & Parish Staff >
      • Vicars of St Mary Abbots
      • Updates from former Clergy
    • Location
    • Mission Action Plan
    • Safeguarding
    • Volunteering
    • Church Groups >
      • Homeless Ministry
      • Flower Arranger Group
    • Affiliated Groups & Charities >
      • Food Bank support
      • Glass Door support >
        • Glass door sleepout 2024
    • Music at St Mary Abbots
    • Our Bells
    • History of St Mary Abbots >
      • Early Churches of Kensington
      • The building of our Church
      • Sir George Gilbert Scott
      • Famous residents
      • War Time Damage
      • The Cathedral-like Interior
    • PCC & Administration >
      • Annual report and financial statement
      • Electoral Roll >
        • Our Parish
      • Covid Risk Assessment
      • PRIVACY NOTICE
    • Church Hire
    • St Mary Abbots Centre >
      • Job Vacancies
  • Children
    • Safeguarding children
    • Sunday School >
      • Children's volunteers
    • Children and Family Eucharist
    • Mini Abbots Baby Group
    • Bitesized Bible Group
    • Youth Work & Ministry
    • School Eucharist
  • Newsletter / Sermon
    • Sermons
    • Newsletter >
      • Archived Newsletters
      • Kensington Parish News
  • Support
    • How to donate
    • Friends of St Mary Abbots
    • Legacy
    • Local Support