Churches across London are preparing to take part in this year’s London Festival of Architecture (LFA), joining a citywide exploration of the 2026 theme, Belonging.
Running throughout June, the festival brings together communities, organisations and public spaces from across the capital to reflect on how people connect with the places where they live, gather and build community.
A growing number of churches are now participating in the programme, with events ranging from heritage exhibitions and guided tours to community conversations, local history projects and opportunities to explore the role churches continue to play within neighbourhood life.
Churches sharing local stories of belonging
Among the participating churches is St Mary’s Somers Town, which this year celebrates its bicentenary with a programme exploring the church’s past, present and future. Plans include an exhibition of historic photographs and parish stories, alongside opportunities for visitors to contribute their own memories and connections to the church.
Slaney Devlin, a member of the Parochial Church Council at St Mary’s Somers Town, said:
We are about to begin gathering photographs and stories from parishioners, and realise that this project is not only about the history of the building but also about the generations of people who have found a sense of belonging here. Many people still feel deeply connected to the church, even if they have moved away from the area, because of the family and community ties formed here over many years. The festival will give us an opportunity to celebrate those shared memories and connections with the wider community.
St Olave Hart Street will also take part in this year’s festival with a series of guided tours marking 75 years since post-war restoration work on the church began. Reflecting the festival’s theme of Belonging, the tours will explore the stories of the many people who have called St Olave their “own church” since its foundation in 1050.
A wider role in the life of the city
The Diocese of London sees this year’s festival as an opportunity not only to celebrate church buildings, but also to highlight the deeper role churches hold within communities across the capital.
For centuries, churches have served as places of welcome, prayer, refuge, celebration and local identity. In a city shaped by constant change, they continue to be spaces where people from different generations, cultures and backgrounds come together.
This year’s theme of Belonging offers a natural opportunity for churches to share those stories more widely.
Participation in the festival can take many forms, and churches involved this year range from historic parish churches to diverse congregations serving some of London’s fastest changing neighbourhoods.
Encouraging future participation
The Diocese is also exploring opportunities for a larger church-focused strand within future editions of the festival, helping to showcase the contribution churches make to the civic, cultural and spiritual life of London.
As churches across London prepare to open their doors throughout June, the Diocese hopes this year’s participation will spark new conversations about the role churches continue to play as places of belonging within their communities.
It is also hoped that this year’s programme will encourage more parishes to consider taking part in future editions of the festival through locally rooted events, storytelling and community engagement.
Churches wishing to participate in future editions of the festival can express their interest by contacting George Bell, Senior Development & Fundraising Manager.