Church

Oratory of St Philip Neri, Brompton

Oratory of St Philip Neri, Brompton

The London Oratory, the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Brompton Road, is a Grade II* Italian Baroque Catholic church of 1880–84 by Herbert Gribble, served by the Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, in the Diocese of Westminster.

Location
Brompton, Greater London
Country
England
County
Greater London
City / town
Brompton
Address
Cromwell Road, Brompton, Greater London, SW7 2RP
Postcode
SW7 2RP
Built
1880–84; façade 1893; dome 1895–96
Consecrated
16 April 1884
Architect
Herbert Gribble; dome George Campbell Sherrin with E. A. Rickards
Denomination
Catholic Church
Dedication
Mary and Philip Neri
Diocese
Westminster
Parish
London Oratory (Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)
Grade
II*
Style
Italian Baroque
Materials
Portland stone; marble-lined interior; lead-covered dome
Grid reference
TQ 271 791
Opening hours
Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church.
Access
Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby

Overview

John Henry Newman brought the Oratory to England; Frederick William Faber’s London community settled at Brompton after three years near the Strand. Gribble, a recent convert, won the 1876 competition for a Renaissance-style church. The foundation stone was laid in June 1880; the church was privately consecrated on 16 April 1884 and opened by Cardinal Manning. Historic England records an elaborate Italian Baroque building of 1884: nave of three main bays, side chapels, transepts, apsed chancel, pedimented façade and a lead-covered dome. The façade was finished in 1893; the outer dome is of 1895–96 by George Campbell Sherrin with lantern by E. A. Rickards. The interior is marble-lined, with sculpture including Giuseppe Mazzuoli’s Twelve Apostles from Siena Cathedral. It was the largest Catholic church in London until Westminster Cathedral opened in 1903. Listed Grade II* on 15 April 1969 (NHLE 1358123); listing NGR TQ2715679165.

Further Information