London - Brompton Oratory

The Brompton Oratory is officially the London Oratory of St Philip Neri. This Roman Catholic church in Italian Renaissance style was built between 1881 and 1884; the dome was added in 1896. It is served by secular priests of the Institute of the Oratory, founded in Rome by St Philip Neri in 1575 and introduced into England in 1847 by Cardinal Newman. There is a statue of Newman facing the street.

The interior is notable for the magnificence and great breadth of the nave (the third largest in England, exceeded only by Westminster Cathedral and York Minster) and for its rich decoration. Particularly fine are the Carrara marble figures of Apostles (originally in Siena Cathedral) between the pilasters; the monumental Baroque altar in the Lady Chapel, which comes from the Dominican church in Brescia; the altar in St Wilfrid's Chapel, with an altarpiece from St Servaas in Maastricht; the marble decoration of the chapels; and a number of mosaics.

The Oratory is noted for organ recitals (the organ has almost 4,000 pipes) and for its fine choral performances. (Notice of recitals is given in the press.) Visitors interested in church music will find it well worth while to inquire whether there is a recital at the Oratory during their stay. Mass in Latin is celebrated on Sundays at 11:00 am.