History of Chelsea Old Church

Chelsea Old Church is a parish in the Diocese of London which is part of the Church of England. It is located on the corner of Old Church Street (SW3 5DQ) and the Embankment, and has stood there for over 700 years.

It is believed there has been a Church on this site ever since Christianity arrived in England. It used to be called the Parish Church of the Village of Chelsea before this village became part of London.

The Church has been restored on its old foundations and looks very much like it did before, with its square Nave built in the classical style from which the medieval Chancel and Chapels can be seen through the three arches. The King Post at the West end of the More Chapel, which had been plastered over, was revealed by the blast and has been left uncovered as an example of pre-Tudor building.

Some say Chelsea Old Church has the finest collection of church monuments outside Westminster Abbey and they are especially valued because of the painstaking reconstruction of the church after its destruction in the Second World War.

The Church is used not only for Christenings and Weddings, but also for concerts and other similar public events. The Parish Office is located at 64 Cheyne Walk, SW3 5LT (entrance at the back of the Church). Open from 9.30am.-2.00pm. Tuesday to Friday, 0207 7951019 or office@chelseaoldchurch.org.uk.

The exterior view of Chelsea Old Church taken from the Embankment in London.

Christening Photography inside Chelsea Old Church

CONTACT CHRISTINE

St Mary’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox Church in South London. It was originally built for the Catholic Church in 1876, and the original structure was much larger than it is today. Sadly much of it was destroyed in the Second World War. In 1963 it was taken over by the Greek Orthodox Church and as a Greek Orthodox Christening Photographer based in nearby Clapham, I was delighted to be asked to capture baby Tommy’s Christening there. Here are my favourite images from the day..