St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, London
Church in London, England / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church is a church in Kensington, London, located at the south-west corner of the intersection of Allen Street and Scarsdale Villas. It is dedicated to the founder of the Church of Alexandria, Mark the Evangelist. It should not be confused with an Anglican church of the same name in Kennington, also in London. The building was previously St John's Presbyterian Church and was opened in 1863.[1]
St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church | |
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51°29′50″N 0°11′40″W | |
Location | Kensington, London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Denomination | Coptic Orthodox Church |
Website | stmark.org.uk |
History | |
Dedication | Saint Mark |
Dedicated | 1863 (as Presbyterian church); 1979 (as Coptic Orthodox church) |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Style | Victorian Gothic |
Completed | 1863 (1863) |
Administration | |
Diocese | Coptic Orthodox Diocese of London |
Clergy | |
Bishop(s) | Anba Angaelos |
Purchased from the Scottish Presbyterian church in 1975, St Mark's was the first Coptic Orthodox church in Europe. It was the seed church of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland, first served by three hieromonks who later became members of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Services are conducted in both English and Arabic.
The exterior of the church has remained almost unchanged since its construction in 1862–1863 in the Victorian Gothic style. However, the interior has changed significantly since then: in the 19th century to address aesthetic and practical issues apparent after the initial construction, involving several architects in the changes, and in the 20th century with its conversion to a Coptic Orthodox church. As part of the conversion, it was the first church outside Egypt to display Neo-Coptic iconography.