Union Chapel
Train: Highbury (4 mins)
Tube: Highbury & Islington (4 mins)
Union Chapel is a Grade II* listed building, just south of Highbury Corner in Compton Terrace, on the east side of Upper Street. It is one of Islington's most important buildings. It was designed by James Cubitt and completed in 1877, the 170 ft tower being completed some years later. The congregation first gathered in 1799 in a house in Highbury Grove as a Union of evangelical Anglicans and non-conformists, and moved to the previous building on the present site in 1806.
The present building is a magnificent example of Victorian gothic architecture and displays many features which were at the cutting edge of technological advance in their day, including a fine "Father Willis" organ, still in its original condition. It is also notable for its adventurous auditorium design on an octagonal ground plan, in accordance with its architect's ideas set out in his book Church Design for Congregations.
As well as the magnificent Chapel, the Union Chapel complex includes a beautiful galleried Sunday School, a lecture hall with two smaller halls below it, a lovely bright Committee Room, and other ancillary spaces. All these premises are in use and available for hire.
