Podcast in English
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

Wine Fiesta showcases local varieties in Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo is hosting the Urban Wine Fest, organised by the Bulgarian Association of Wine Professionals. "October is the month of Bulgarian wine and the richness of our local grape varieties," said Daniel Dragoshinov, a member of the association, as..

published on 10/18/25 8:30 AM
Hungary, 1930s

Bulgarians in Hungary with double celebration – Day of Bulgarian-Hungarian Friendship and UNESCO recognition for gardening

October 17, 2025 will go down in history as the date on which the Minister of Culture of Hungary presented the document with which the Tradition of Bulgarian Gardening in Hungary officially entered the UNESCO National Register of..

published on 10/17/25 4:00 PM
Red Wall Biosphere Reserve

The spirit of the Red Wall Biosphere Park comes to life at a festival in Asenovgrad

The center of Bulgaria's town of Asenovgrad is today turning into a colorful scene of flavors, aromas and traditions, in which the spirit of the Red Wall Biosphere Park comes to life , reports BNR's Radio Plovdiv. At the “Festival of Crafts and..

published on 10/17/25 6:10 AM