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London Spitalfields Christ Church 
Built between 1714 and 1729 in the English Baroque style of architecture, Christ Church was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, a prominent English architect and a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren. It was constructed to serve the growing population of London's East End, particularly the Huguenot community, who were French Protestant refugees, and the building remains one of the most iconic buildings in London's East End. Constructed from Portland stone, which was typical for many important buildings of the period, it has a bright and clean appearance. The front façade, which contains the main entrance to the church, is grand and imposing, and features a large portico with Tuscan columns.  It contains a tall, elegant steeple rising to a height of 202 feet, and is topped with a weathervane which is one of the most distinctive features of the church, making it a prominent landmark in the area.  Within the exterior walls, it contains large, arched windows framed by decorative stonework that allow natural light into the interior. The windows, add to the overall elegance of the design. Overall, the design of the church is highly symmetrical, with balanced proportions, a hallmark of Hawksmoor's style. On entry, the interior provides a spacious, grand appearance with the flat ceiling over the nave, and with Tuscan columns supporting arches over the side aisles.  The walls are faced with timber wall coverings at its base and timber balconies running around the sides.  On entry is the large oval font, which was placed in its current location in 1898. Prior to being moved to Christ Church, the font was in the Episcopal Jews' Chapel in Palestine Place.  Situated at the east end of the church, as is typical in Anglican church design, is the Baroque style altar with its intricate carvings and an impressive stained-glass window above. The altar, like much of the church, has undergone restoration to preserve its historical and architectural integrity. The restoration efforts have aimed to maintain the original design and craftsmanship as much as possible.  While the original windows were clear glass set in lead and iron frames. Some stained-glass windows have been added over the years.  The organ is located in the west gallery and is a significant feature of the church.  This was built in 1735, by Richard Bridge, one of the leading organ builders of the time. The Christ Church organ was the largest organ in England at the time of its installation and is considered one of the most significant surviving examples of Bridge's work. Having fallen into disrepair it was unplayable for many years. However, it underwent a major restoration project that was completed in June 2015 which returned it to its original state, preserving its unique tonal qualities and mechanical features. Today it is known for its rich baroque sound and it is used for both liturgical purposes and concerts.  The church underwent significant restoration works which started in 1976, led by the Friends of Christ Church Spitalfields. This restoration aimed to preserve Hawksmoor's masterpiece and included the restoration of the historic Richard Bridge organ. Today, Christ Church serves as both a place of worship and a venue for various events, including concerts, exhibitions, and community gatherings.
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All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
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