Podcast in English
Audio Player
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Bulgarian-Macedonian аssociation in the US оrganizes “Balkanalia”

The Bulgarian-Macedonian Association “Podkrepa” in Portland, Oregon, has extended an invitation to “Balkanalia”. This will be “a weekend filled with music and dance at the beautiful Angelos Campground on the Sandy River.” The event will take place from..

published on 8/6/25 11:25 AM
Photos: Bulgarian Orthodox Church

Volunteers are wanted for the renovation of the Bulgarian church in Chicago

With each passing day, the church is becoming more beautiful and welcoming. This was written on their Facebook page by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church “St. Ivan Rilski” in Chicago, USA . “Anyone who can help is welcome! There is painting,..

published on 8/6/25 10:19 AM

80 years after Hiroshima bombing: a stone that witnessed the blast sends a call for peace from Sofia

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Traditionally, as a sign of sympathy for the victims of the attack, every year only on August 6, the Bulgarian public can see a unique relic -..

published on 8/6/25 5:55 AM