St Mark's, Mayfair

St Mark's was built in 1825–28[1] as a response to the shortage of churches in the area. The population in Mayfair had grown with the demand for town houses by the aristocracy and the wealthy, as they moved in from the country.[2][3]

The building was constructed in the Greek revival style to the designs of John Peter Gandy. Gandy was a highly regarded architect of the Greek Revival style, and produced most of his work in neo-classical designs, with St Mark's being one of the finest examples.

In 1878 the architect Arthur Blomfield made significant changes to the church, adding a timber roof, and introducing Gothic style features. The 34 feet (10 m) façade, together with the elegant porch, is known as one of the finest in London.

The church was listed in 1958.[1] It was deconsecrated in 1974 and was included on English Heritage’s "Buildings at Risk" register for over 20 years.

Hammer Holdings Limited successfully applied for planning permission to convert the building into a 'wellness centre' in 2006, but a campaign led by Lady Sainsbury succeeded in blocking the proposal.[4]

It was subsequently acquired by One Events in 2009 to as a mixed-use venue. In July 2014 the building was acquired by Grosvenor Estates.

Edward Thomas Daniell, known for his watercolour paintings of the Near East and his etchings of Norfolk, was appointed to the curacy of the church in 1834.[5]

During the Second World War, St Mark's became informally known as The American Church in London due to its proximity to the United States embassy and as a centre for American worshippers. It was visited by President Dwight Eisenhower and the political figure, diplomat and activist Eleanor Roosevelt when she was First Lady of the United States.[6]

External video
St. Mark’s Church
Earl of Harewood's Wedding – 1949 – British Movietone on YouTube（AP News Archive）

On the 29 September 1949, St. Mark's was the venue for the wedding of George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood and pianist Marion Stein, which was attended by King George VI and other members of the royal family. A wedding anthem specially composed and conducted by Benjamin Britten was performed at the service.[7]

The congregation dwindled during the 1950s and 1960s, until the church was declared redundant in 1974. It remained empty from 1975 to 1994. That year the Diocese of London allowed the use of the church by The Commonwealth Christian Fellowship led by Rod and Julie Anderson, who met there with a congregation of around 120 and provided an out-reach programme for anti-knife crime training for teenagers, home visits for elderly people and help for the homeless. The church was used in this way until 2008.

Between February and May 2015 the church hosted This Present House.

In its heyday, the church had one of the finest choirs in London. The organ, designed by Maurice Vinden, was one of Rushworth and Dreaper's finest and was moved to Holy Trinity, Brompton Street, when St Mark's became redundant.[8]

St Mark's Church Mayfair - interior in August 2020

The building has been used for other events, such as by Nike, The London Summer Show,[9] London Fashion Week and by Grosvenor Estates.[10]