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The artists’ church

Known as the artists’ church, St James’s has been a spiritual home for many artists and has strong links to its Piccadilly neighbour, the Royal Academy of Arts. The church was bombed during the Second World War and the survival of many of its artworks is remarkable.

From Clinton Chaloner’s candlestand inspired by the earth’s first lifeforms and a recent quartet of paintings by Che Lovelace celebrating and honouring the abolitionist and theologian Quobna Ottobah Cugoano, to the renowned Grinling Gibbons reredos and font (in which William Blake and Cugoano were both baptised), St James’s welcomes visitors of all faiths and none, to enjoy its architecture and artworks.

The art collection at St James’s ranges from the 17th to the 21st century, and includes paintings, sculptures in wood and marble, metalwork, stained glass, and both historic and contemporary work, both within the church and in the garden.