Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile, London — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in Exile is a hidden architectural treasure on Duke Street in Mayfair, just off Oxford Street. Most Londoners walk past it every day without knowing it's there.

The building was designed in 1891 by Alfred Waterhouse (the architect behind London's Natural History Museum) for a Congregational church called the King's Weigh House Chapel. The exterior is modest by London standards, but inside, the space is remarkable.

In 1967, the building was sold to the Ukrainian Catholic community to serve as the cathedral for the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family in London. The interior was adapted for Eastern Catholic worship, with an iconostasis (a screen of religious icons and paintings) created by the Ukrainian monk Juvenalij Mokrytsky. A confessional designed by J.F. Bentley, the architect of Westminster Cathedral, also survives from the building's earlier life.

The east window contains glass by Robert Anning Bell, one of the leading stained-glass artists of the early 20th century. In 2007, part of the ceiling collapsed, leading to a major refurbishment.

Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the cathedral has become a rallying point for the British Ukrainian community, hosting prayer services, vigils, and community events. In 2013, the eparchy was elevated to a full bishopric by Pope Benedict XVI.

The cathedral is free to enter and holds daily services. If you're on a Questo quest through Mayfair, it's a stop where a quiet doorway on a busy shopping street opens into a story of faith, exile, and resilience.