Our story

For more than 170 years, the spire of Our Ladye Star of the Sea has been a landmark on the Greenwich skyline. 

Among its first parishioners were naval pensioners, maybe a long way from their own homes, and for generations the church has been a haven for people from all around the world. 

If you step inside the church today, you can see that same diverse and international congregation.

In architectural terms, it’s a building of national significance, which is reflected in its listed status. The interior decoration and furnishings are an important example of Pugin’s Gothic Revival work, a designer famous for landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament. 

The church building is by the noted Victorian architect, William Wardell, who went on to design St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, and St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney.

The restoration project could reveal some more hidden gems of his original designs that were covered up or painted over in the 1960s. We’ve already found some beautifully decorated original tiles near the altar.

Over the next few years we’re hoping to ensure that the church can be repaired and restored, so that it can enjoyed by future generations. We want the church to continue to be such a reassuring presence, a place of prayer and reflection, in its location beside Greenwich Park and part of the Unesco World Heritage Site.

But it’s much more than an historic building. It’s not a museum. It’s a living place for the local community and for the many visitors who come to this part of London. It's a place of worship and a social centre, where hundreds of people come together each week, as they have for generations.

Let’s remember our history and look forward to our future. We can soon look forward to celebrating our 175th anniversary.