Dominating the skyline east of Liverpool Street between Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane, the stunning white spire of Christ Church Spitalfields belongs to one of the few remaining London churches designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor.
Christ Church Spitalfields was built between 1714 and 1729. For over 200 years it stood proud over the burgeoning spread of London in an area that has been traditionally known as a haven for immigrant communities.
In 1850, well-meaning if damaging restructuring, which removed the galleries, blocked in some windows and lowered others, was overseen by the architect of the National Gallery, Ewan Christian. It was only after the church had fallen into disrepair (having survived the Blitz) and closed because of a dangerous roof in 1957 that plans were laid for its restoration.
The building resumed life as a place of worship in 1987, and work was eventually completed in 2004, restoring the galleries and windows to Hawksmoor's original design. The church has also become the home of Spitalfields Festival, one of London's great niche festivals of music, particularly contemporary, which holds both a summer and winter festival in and around the church itself.