Catholic Church of Saint James — Attraction in London

Beautiful church, unfortunately some of the congregation are representative of the area.... rude , snooty and nasty.

We attended Mass with our 18 month old son. He is a toddler, he runs around and is noisy, like many toddlers . My husband, a revert , and i noticed many people staring at us going SHHHH at us really loudly. A mass isn't some pretty ceremony happening in Latin, it's supposed to give us the necessary graces to go through life and achieve divinity in heaven.

Surely the parishioners should go to mass and be charitable , after all, children are members of the church as well as adults and have a right to be in mass too. Or should I leave him at home with a nanny, and hope he practises Catholicism when he is older? I wonder how many of these rude parishioners have their children still attending mass 20 years later 🤔 ? I doubt many. Maybe they just enjoy the nice music and stuff being said in Latin.

It would do well for the priests to welcome ALL parishioners, including us tired old parents , maybe put something in your newsletter to remind people to be charitable once in a while. Or pressure devout Latin mass supporters to sit at the front to hear the priest easily. Not at the back where us parents have to sit.

Kind regards and God Bless Joanna,...

Near the Wallace Collection at the historic Hereford House, you can find an attractive English Gothic style church on George Street called St. James's Catholic Church.

This church was built in 1890 by Edward Goldie and unofficially connection to the Spanish Embassy. The building isn't as decorative as many medieval Gothic churches you might have seen on the continent but it still provides tell-tale signs of Gothic architecture style and is enjoyable to look at.

Here you can see the expected flying buttress, modest window arches and a few gargoyles as well as a rose window on the exterior of the church. Inside, you can see a rather narrow nave with high vaulted ceiling as some nice stain-glassed windows above the alter. It is a a bit modest all the way around.

In the end, not one of our favourite churches in London but something that fans of Gothic style might enjoy seeing before or after visiting the Wallace Collection just down Spanish Place street at...

The Catholic Church of St James in London is a peaceful refuge tucked away from the city's constant buzz. From the moment I stepped inside, I felt a sense of stillness and reverence. The interior is beautifully maintained—modest but rich in detail, with warm wooden pews, soft lighting, and stained glass that catches the light just right.

I wasn’t expecting to be so moved, but the atmosphere really invites quiet reflection. Whether you're attending Mass or just stopping in for a moment of calm, there's a welcoming, unpretentious spirit here. The congregation felt genuine and diverse, and the priest’s message was thoughtful without being preachy.

It’s the kind of place that reminds you of the deeper rhythms of life—simple, sacred, and grounding. Definitely a spot I’ll return to when I need a quiet moment in the middle...