Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Construction of the first Bulgarian church in London under way

Photo: bulgarianembassy-london.org

The construction of the first Bulgarian Orthodox church in London named after Saint Ivan Rilski  is progressing. To date, only the Bulgarian Orthodox community does not have its own church in the United Kingdom.

The church is being built in the heart of London, within the property of the Bulgarian embassy, about 100 meters from the Royal Albert Hall and a few hundred meters from Kensington Palace. 

In a record short period of 4 months, the project was defended before the municipality in Westminster with the efforts of Bulgarian Ambassador Marin Raykov who gave the idea for the church and received a construction permit. 

At the end of 2023, the Bulgarian government allocated money for the construction of the church. Funds were also collected from Bulgarians in Great Britain. 

The project is by the Italian architect Carlo Bughi. 

"In order for the project to be approved, it had to not disturb the architectural appearance of the building. In reality, the facade will not be radically changed. We will build a medium-sized church with a dome and we will make it so that the Bulgarian community and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church actually have a definitely representative and beautiful temple," said Ambassador Raykov.

The new church will have a capacity for between 130 and 150 people and will be completed in a year and a half.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bike ride in Sofia on World Bicycle Day

A bicycle ride organized by the associations "For the Earth" and "Veloevolution" and the organization "Soffenhagen" took place in the streets of Sofia earlier today . The occasion was the World Bicycle Day. The square in front of Alexander Nevsky..

published on 6/2/24 4:56 PM
Children's books author Matina Genkova-Mpofu

Matina Genkova-Mpofu's books for children presented in South Africa

At the traditional Sunday gathering of Bulgarians in South Africa today in Midrand on the occasion of yesterday's Children's Day the books for children of our compatriot Matina Genkova-Mpofu  will be presented .  "The first children's book I..

published on 6/2/24 11:01 AM

Exhibition supports children of deceased firefighters

"I Saw Danger With My Own Eyes" is the name of the charity exhibition that will be on display from June 4 to 21 at the "IKAR" Gallery in Sofia. The exhibition supports children of deceased or injured firefighters. The paintings are drawn by..

published on 6/2/24 7:05 AM