★★★★★ 5.0
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Union Chapel
That red rubber brick glowing against Bath stone was once considered so radical, architects called it "unique" when they first saw James Cubitt's plans in 1872. You're standing before one of London's most unlikely survivors... a Gothic cathedral that isn't actually a cathedral at all. Behind this soaring facade lies an octagonal interior designed like an ancient amphitheater, where two British Prime Ministers once worshipped alongside factory workers. William Ewart Gladstone and H.H. Asquith both called this their spiritual home, drawn by Union Chapel's revolutionary founding principle from 1799: a "friend to all" Christians, regardless of denomination. What makes your spine tingle isn't just the towering Gothic arches... it's knowing this building nearly vanished in the 1980s. Demolition crews were literally scheduled when a grassroots army called "Friends of Union" fought back, transforming this sacred space into London's most unusual venue where hymns and rock concerts now share the same extraordinary acoustics. The cupola above you crowns not just a building, but a 225-year rebellion against religious boundaries that somehow became Islington's most beloved landmark.
Did You Know?
- Union Chapel was founded in 1799 by a union of Anglicans and nonconformists—a radical move for the time—and started with just 26 members who sought to break away from the traditional structures of the Church of England, aiming to create a ‘Friend for All’ that welcomed everyone, regardless of background.
- The chapel is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece designed by architect James Cubitt, with a design inspired by the church of Santa Fosca in Torcello, Italy—an unusual choice for a nonconformist church, giving it the grandeur and acoustics of a small cathedral, and earning it Grade I-listed status, the highest heritage protection in England.
- Union Chapel is not just a place of worship but a cultural hub, hosting around 250 live events each year—including music concerts, comedy, and film screenings—and was voted London's Best Live Music Venue multiple times by Time Out readers; it also appeared in the 1982 film *Who Dares Wins*, and two former British Prime Ministers, William Ewart Gladstone and H. H. Asquith, were once part of its congregation.