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Nine centuries
of stories

St Mary Magdalene Church is one of North Paddington's most extraordinary buildings — Norman in origin, Victorian in character, and alive with community arts today.

900+ Years of history
The Building

St Mary Magdalene Church

The current Victorian Gothic church was designed by the eminent architect George Edmund Street and consecrated in 1868. It stands on a site of Christian worship dating back to the 12th century — making it one of North Paddington's most enduring landmarks.

The interior is a masterwork of Victorian ecclesiastical craftsmanship. The chancel contains remarkable decorative work by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones — two of the most celebrated figures of the Arts and Crafts movement — alongside extraordinary carved stonework and one of London's finest collections of Victorian stained glass.

Today the building is Grade II listed and in the care of Grand Junction and Paddington Development Trust, who have transformed it into a thriving community arts venue while preserving and celebrating its exceptional heritage.

12c
Original founding
1868
Current building consecrated
Grade II
Listed building status
Free
Entry to the building
Our History

Nine centuries in North Paddington

12c
Norman Origins

The First Church

A chapel is established on the site of present-day St Mary Magdalene, serving the scattered community of North Paddington — then a largely rural area beyond the city limits of London.
1866
Victorian Era

George Edmund Street Commissioned

The eminent Gothic Revival architect George Edmund Street — designer of the Royal Courts of Justice — is commissioned to design a new church to serve a rapidly expanding North Paddington population.
1868
Consecration

The Building Opens

The new St Mary Magdalene Church is consecrated. William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones collaborate on decorative elements including painted panels, stained glass and decorative textiles — work which survives to this day.
2000
New Chapter

Grand Junction Founded

Paddington Development Trust establishes Grand Junction as a community arts venue in the building, beginning the transformation of St Mary Magdalene from a declining parish church into a thriving hub for music, arts, heritage and community life.
Today
Present Day

Arts, Heritage & Community

St Mary Magdalene hosts over 300 events a year — from concerts and theatre to heritage tours, community workshops and free family activities — while preserving one of North London's finest Victorian interiors for future generations.
"One of the finest examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture in London — and one of the least known."
Historic England · Grade II Listing Notes
Heritage Tours

Explore the building with a guide

Guided Tour · Weekly

Chapel of St Sepulchre Walking Tour

A guided tour of the church interior exploring nine centuries of history, the Arts and Crafts decorations and the building's community role.

Every Sunday 2pmFreeStep-free
Specialist Tour · Monthly

Stained Glass Deep Dive

A specialist-led exploration of the church's extraordinary Victorian stained glass — William Morris, Burne-Jones and their contemporaries.

Monthly · SaturdaysFreeAdult
Walking Tour · Quarterly

North Paddington History Walk

A guided walk through the streets and canal-side of North Paddington, exploring the area's community history and social change.

QuarterlyFreeOutdoor
Visit Heritage Hub

Nine centuries of
living history

St Mary Magdalene is one of North Paddington's most extraordinary buildings — Norman in origin, Victorian in splendour, and alive with community arts today.

900+Years of history
12c
Original founding
1868
Current building consecrated
Grade II
Listed building status
Free
Entry to the building
The Building

St Mary Magdalene Church

Designed by Gothic Revival architect George Edmund Street and consecrated in 1868, the church stands on a site of Christian worship dating back to the 12th century — one of North Paddington's most enduring landmarks.

The interior is a masterwork of Victorian craftsmanship. The chancel contains remarkable work by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones alongside extraordinary carved stonework and one of London's finest collections of Victorian stained glass.

Arts & Crafts

William Morris & Burne-Jones

The chancel of St Mary Magdalene contains some of the finest surviving examples of the Arts and Crafts movement in London — panels, stained glass and decorative work by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, created between 1868 and 1885.

Morris and Burne-Jones were at the height of their creative powers during this period, and the work in St Mary Magdalene stands as some of their most compelling and least-visited achievements.

Our History

Nine centuries in North Paddington

12c

The First Chapel

A place of worship is established in North Paddington, serving the scattered rural community beyond London's city limits.

1866

George Edmund Street

The eminent Gothic Revival architect is commissioned to design a new church for the rapidly growing North Paddington population.

1868

Consecration

The new church opens. Morris and Burne-Jones create decorative panels, stained glass and textiles that survive to this day.

1870s

Arts & Crafts at Peak

Additional decorative elements are commissioned as the Arts and Crafts movement reaches its zenith across London and beyond.

2000

Grand Junction Founded

Paddington Development Trust establishes Grand Junction, transforming the building into a thriving community arts venue.

Today

Arts, Heritage & Community

Over 300 events a year, heritage tours, free community activities — and one of London's finest Victorian interiors preserved for all.

Heritage Tours

Explore with a guide

Guided · Every Sunday

Chapel of St Sepulchre Walking Tour

Nine centuries of history, Arts and Crafts decorations and the building's community role — explored with an expert guide.

Every Sunday 2pmFreeStep-free
Specialist · Monthly

Stained Glass Deep Dive

A specialist-led exploration of the extraordinary Victorian stained glass — William Morris, Burne-Jones and their contemporaries.

Monthly SaturdaysFreeAdult
Walking Tour · Quarterly

North Paddington History Walk

A guided walk through North Paddington's streets and canal-side, exploring community history and social change over two centuries.

QuarterlyFreeOutdoor
Visit Heritage Hub

Nine centuries
of living history

St Mary Magdalene Church — Norman origins, Victorian craftsmanship, and London's finest collection of Arts and Crafts decorative work.

900+Years of history
12c
Original founding
1868
Current building
Grade II
Listed status
Free
Entry to building
The Building

St Mary Magdalene Church

Designed by Gothic Revival architect George Edmund Street and consecrated in 1868, the church stands on a site of Christian worship dating back to the 12th century — one of North Paddington's most enduring landmarks.

The building is Grade II listed, and today forms the home of Grand Junction and Paddington Development Trust's community arts programme.

The interior is a masterwork of Victorian ecclesiastical craftsmanship. The chancel contains remarkable work by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones alongside extraordinary carved stonework and one of London's finest collections of Victorian stained glass.

The nave of St Mary Magdalene Church, looking east towards the chancel
Our History

Nine centuries in North Paddington

12c

Norman Origins — The First Chapel

A place of worship established in North Paddington, serving the scattered rural community beyond London's city limits.

1866

George Edmund Street Commissioned

The eminent Gothic Revival architect — designer of the Royal Courts of Justice — is commissioned to design a new church for North Paddington's rapidly growing population.

1868

Consecration — The Building Opens

William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones collaborate on the chancel decorations — panels, stained glass and textiles that survive to this day.

2000

Grand Junction Founded

Paddington Development Trust establishes Grand Junction, transforming St Mary Magdalene into a thriving community arts venue.

Today

Arts, Heritage & Community

Over 300 events a year alongside free heritage tours, community workshops and family activities.

The Building

Stained glass, stonework & craftsmanship

Heritage Tours

Explore with a guide

Guided Tour · Every Sunday 2pm

Chapel of St Sepulchre Walking Tour

FreeStep-free90 mins
Specialist Tour · Monthly Saturdays

Stained Glass Deep Dive

FreeAdult75 mins
Walking Tour · Quarterly

North Paddington History Walk

FreeOutdoor2 hours
♿ Fully step-free building👋 BSL tours available on request🏛 Free entry to the building
Visit Heritage Hub

Nine centuries
of living history

Explore the extraordinary story of St Mary Magdalene — from Norman origins to Victorian splendour and community arts today.

♿ Fully step-free · Free entry · Guided tours every Sunday · No booking required to visit
900+Years of history
12c
Original founding
1868
Current building consecrated
Grade II
Listed building status
Free
Entry to the building
The Building

St Mary Magdalene Church

Designed by Gothic Revival architect George Edmund Street and consecrated in 1868, the church stands on a site of worship dating back to the 12th century — one of North Paddington's most enduring landmarks.

The interior is a masterwork of Victorian craftsmanship. The chancel contains remarkable work by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones alongside extraordinary carved stonework and one of London's finest collections of Victorian stained glass.

The building is fully step-free throughout and welcomes visitors free of charge every Tuesday to Sunday.

Our History

Nine centuries in North Paddington

12c
Norman Origins

The First Chapel

A place of worship established in North Paddington, serving the rural community beyond London's city limits.

1866
Victorian Era

George Edmund Street Commissioned

The eminent Gothic Revival architect is commissioned to design a new church for the rapidly growing North Paddington population.

1868
Consecration

The Building Opens

William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones create chancel decorations — panels, stained glass and textiles that survive to this day.

2000
New Chapter

Grand Junction Founded

Paddington Development Trust establishes Grand Junction, transforming the building into a thriving community arts venue.

Today
Present Day

Arts, Heritage & Community

Over 300 events a year alongside free heritage tours, community workshops and family activities. Free entry, fully step-free.

Heritage Tours

Explore with a guide — all tours free

Guided Tour · Every Sunday 2pm

Chapel of St Sepulchre Walking Tour

A guided tour of the church interior exploring nine centuries of history, Arts and Crafts decorations and the building's community role.

♿ Step-freeFree90 mins
Specialist Tour · Monthly Saturdays

Stained Glass Deep Dive

A specialist-led exploration of the extraordinary Victorian stained glass — William Morris, Burne-Jones and their contemporaries.

♿ Step-freeFreeAdult
Walking Tour · Quarterly

North Paddington History Walk

A guided walk through North Paddington's streets and canal-side, exploring community history and social change over two centuries.

FreeOutdoor2 hours
What's On Visit Hire Get Involved
St Mary Magdalene · Paddington · London W9
Visit · Heritage Hub

Nine
Centuries
of History

St Mary Magdalene — Norman origins, Victorian craftsmanship by William Morris and Burne-Jones, and community arts today.

900+Years of history
12c
Original founding
1868
Current building
Grade II
Listed status
Free
Entry always
The Building

St Mary
Magdalene
Church

Designed by Gothic Revival architect George Edmund Street and consecrated in 1868, the church stands on a site of worship dating back to the 12th century — one of North Paddington's most enduring landmarks.

The interior is a masterwork of Victorian craftsmanship. The chancel contains remarkable work by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones alongside extraordinary carved stonework and one of London's finest collections of Victorian stained glass.

The building is fully step-free throughout and Grade II listed. Entry is free every Tuesday to Sunday.

Arts & Crafts

William
Morris &
Burne-Jones

The chancel of St Mary Magdalene contains some of the finest surviving examples of the Arts and Crafts movement in London — panels, stained glass and decorative work by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, created between 1868 and 1885.

Morris and Burne-Jones were at the height of their creative powers during this period. The work in St Mary Magdalene stands as some of their most compelling and least-visited achievements.

Our History

Nine Centuries in
North Paddington

12c

The First Chapel — Norman Origins

A place of worship established in North Paddington, serving the rural community beyond London's city limits.

1866

George Edmund Street Commissioned

The eminent Gothic Revival architect commissioned to design a new church for North Paddington's growing population.

1868

Consecration — Morris & Burne-Jones

William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones create chancel decorations — stained glass and textiles that survive to this day.

2000

Grand Junction Founded

Paddington Development Trust transforms St Mary Magdalene into a thriving community arts venue.

Today

Arts, Heritage & Community

Over 300 events a year. Free heritage tours. Free entry. Community arts for all.

The Building

Stained Glass,
Stonework &
Craftsmanship

Heritage Tours

Explore
With a Guide

Guided Tour · Every Sunday 2pm

St Sepulchre Walking Tour

Nine centuries of history, Arts and Crafts decorations and the building's community role — with an expert guide.

Every Sunday 2pmFreeStep-free
Specialist Tour · Monthly

Stained Glass Deep Dive

Specialist-led exploration of the extraordinary Victorian stained glass — Morris, Burne-Jones and contemporaries.

Monthly SaturdaysFreeAdult
Walking Tour · Quarterly

North Paddington History Walk

North Paddington streets and canal-side — community history and social change over two centuries.

QuarterlyFreeOutdoor