St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, London
| St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church | |
|---|---|
 St Mark's from opposite the adjacent roundabout | |
 | |
| 51°29′50″N 0°11′40″W / 51.49722°N 0.19444°W | |
| Location | Kensington, London |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria |
| Website | stmark.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedicated | 1863 (as Presbyterian church); 1979 (as Coptic Orthodox church) |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Completed | 1863 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Anba Angaelos |
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church is a church in Kensington, London. The building was previously known as St John's Presbyterian Church and was opened in 1863.[1]
History
Construction (1862-1863)
The construction of the church building originated in a suggestion made by the minister of the Regent Square church to the Reverend Gavin Carlyle, a nephew of Edward Irving, that Caryle should travel from Edinburgh to preach in London.[2]
As a Scottish Presbyterian church (1863-1975)
As a Coptic Orthodox church (1975-present)
In 1975 St John's was sold to the Coptic Orthodox Church and has been home to the congregation of St Mark's ever since. The church was consecrated by Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria in 1979, [3] as the first Coptic church in Europe.[4]
Description
Iconography
St Mark's was the first church outside of Egypt to display Neo-Coptic iconography. There are two stained glass windows, and a cycle of narrative icons, including a very large icon depicting the martyrdom of Saint Mark.[5]
See also
References
- ^ "Our History (Pre-1975) - St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, London". stmark.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Kensington 1862–1962, n.d., p. 7: St. John’s Presbyterian Church (United Reformed) The Last Years 1962–1975, n.d., pp. 13–14.
- ^ "Our History (Post-1975) - St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, London". stmark.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ Russell, Gerard (2014). Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 1471114724.
- ^ Gabra, Gadwat (2014). Coptic Civilization. The American University in Cairo Press. ISBN 9774166558.