St Mary Magdalene Church, Holloway Road

St Mary Magdalene Church on Holloway Road is an early nineteenth-century Anglican church in north London, standing in its own small garden opposite Islington Central Library. It is one of the best preserved churches of its period in the capital and a Grade II* listed building.

What is St Mary Magdalene Church?

It is an Anglican place of worship dedicated to Mary Magdalene, the companion of Jesus. Today it belongs to the Parish of Hope Church Islington, which was previously known as the Parish of St Mary Magdalene and St David. The church sits in St Mary Magdalene Gardens, a green setting that softens the busy road around it.

When and why was it built?

The church was built between 1812 and 1814 to a design by William Wickings, whose name is recorded on a tablet beneath the east window. The builder was Joseph Griffiths. It began life as a chapel of ease, a smaller church serving residents who lived far from the parish church of St Mary on Upper Street. As the area grew, this mattered: Holloway Road was filling with houses and the old parish church was a long walk away.

The building became a parish church in its own right in 1894. The new parish was formed that year, and the first wedding took place in 1895. Alterations to the interior were carried out in 1894-95 by C. E. Child.

What does the building look like?

The style is Neo-classical. Historic England describes the walls as yellow brick laid in Flemish bond, with dressings of Portland stone. The roof is hidden behind a very deep parapet, which gives the exterior a plain, solid look. A tower rises over the chancel. The church is listed together with its iron railings, and both are Grade II*, a category reserved for particularly important buildings. The first listing dates from 1954.

What can you see inside?

The interior keeps galleries on three sides, carried on Tuscan columns. This is a typical arrangement for churches of the early 1800s, when galleries added seating for a growing congregation. The layout was changed in the 1890s, and in 1983 the pews were removed and meeting rooms were created beneath the galleries. The result is a historic space that still works as a community building.

Is it still in use?

Yes. Baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals are held here regularly. In 2013 the sister church, St David's on Westbourne Road, was reopened, and the two churches now share a common parish life under the Hope Church name.

Practical tips for visitors

• The church is on Holloway Road, directly across from Islington Central Library, so the two make an easy pairing on one walk.
• The surrounding gardens are open to the public and are a good place to see the exterior and the railings up close.
• It is an active place of worship, so check service and opening times with the parish before planning a visit inside.
• Architecture enthusiasts will find it a useful example of London church building from the Regency period.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed St Mary Magdalene Church on Holloway Road? William Wickings, with Joseph Griffiths as the builder, between 1812 and 1814.

Is the church a listed building? Yes. The church and its attached iron railings are both Grade II* listed.

What is the church's parish today? It is part of the Parish of Hope Church Islington, together with St David's on Westbourne Road.

Is the church only a place of worship? It also serves the community: the 1983 works added meeting rooms under the galleries, and the surrounding gardens are a public green space.