Brompton Oratory

I absolutely adore this beautiful and serene Catholic Church. I always stop here for a quick visit once I’m shooed out of any of the neighbouring museums (V&A, Science, Natural History).
Since the museums shut around 5:30 and mass at the oratory is about 6, the timing works perfectly.
There is so much creative beauty in this church, that even if you aren’t inclined to stay on for mass, you can meditate at any one of the many side chapels or just step in for a bit to gather your thoughts and relax in a calming and quiet atmosphere.
St Philip Neri’s body is sometimes open for viewing, but I’m not sure of the exact timings or dates.
This is a very active church with plenty of volunteering opportunities of multiple types.

Not sure if/​when this is open to tourists, but I sang a concert here a few weeks ago (something that they rarely do– this isn’t a music venue outside of normal Mass music). In some ways it is a shame they don’t do more choral concerts here as it is a large and beautiful space.
But they DO have a great choir and organist, so if you don’t mind attending a service, the music is of high quality and I definitely recommend it. Both the outside and interior are sights– verging on the bombastic side of Victorian opulence (lots of ornate carvings, gold lamé, bright colors, faux Renaissance décor, etc.) yet somehow it stays classy and beautiful.
The most striking part is the crazy lighting– bright colours, like hot pink and vivid blue, (that seem really out of place in a church) light up the alter… yet somehow it just works. It gives the church a very unique and lively personality.

Had Mass here on Easter Sunday, not only is it a beautiful church the Mass was beautiful. We were lucky to attend.

Wonderfully over the top building, this doesn’t look like it belongs in London at all.

This early baroque catholic church is flamboyant. It is an exact copy of the Gesu Church in Rome. Inside the church the ceiling is colourful and it has a vaulted dome that is magnificent. Its architecture is fantastic. It holds mass there every Saturday and Sunday in English and Latin. There are also unique fittings in marble or mosaic in there. It you love history and architecture visit this place. If you have been to Rome and love the churches there, this is a must see. You won’t be dissapointed.

Until the completion of Westminster Cathedral, the Oratory of St Philip Neri was the premier Roman Catholic church in London.
Built between 1878 and 1896 in the Italian baroque style, the Oratory is like a little piece of Rome dropped into London. The interior has a completed decorative scheme of the sort rarely seen in the UK, with extensive use of marble, stucco and mosaics.
Much of the interior decoration was undertaken by Italians; perhaps the most notable are the huge statues of the apostles by Giuseppe Mazzuoli (1644 – 1725) from the Cathedral in Siena, dated about 1680 – 85. The highly decorated Lady Chapel altar and reredos came from the Chapel of the Rosary in San Domenico, Brescia, and dates from 1693.
The church is open every day, and there is also an extensive range of high Catholic services.
It’s a short walk from either Knightsbridge or the Victoria & Albert museum next door. Nearest tube: South Kensington.