St. Mary Abbots Church
of Kensington & Chelsea

oldchch.jpg (63697 bytes)
Drawing of the church
There are too many buildings right next to church - could not get a picture 		abbots.jpg (106954 bytes)
Inside photo taken 
from the Internet


 P4020218.jpg (57690 bytes)
My photo of main altar


 smabr.jpg (47461 bytes)
Church spire
 Kensington Palace on 
the right

The present church of St. Mary Abbots dates from 1872, but there have been smaller churches on the site for over 1,000 years.  The present building is one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic style.  A list of Vicars dating from 1242 hangs near the Vestry.  

The organ was built in 1872, with a few modifications since, is 4 manual with 3,345 pipes.    The pulpit is dated 1697, and was given by King William III, who lived in nearby Kensington Palace.  It houses the tallest spire in London as well as fine stained glass windows including the famous “Healing Window."   The 10 church bells are mostly dated 1772, and are rung by hand every Sunday and Thursday.  The Church Bells and Bellringers have an excellent reputation.

In 1997 it became a focus of mourners for the late parishioner, Diana, Princess of Wales, with the lighting of many thousand votive candles and a remembrance service with over 1,000 people in attendance.  The church is only a few short blocks from Kensington Palace.

Main page