City Temple

The City Temple is a Nonconformist church on Holborn Viaduct in the City of London. Its congregation dates back to the 16th or 17th century, making it the oldest Nonconformist church in the City. The first building on the present site opened in 1874 after the congregation moved from Cheapside. The church was rebuilt after wartime bombing and reopened in 1958. It belongs to the United Reformed Church’s Thames North Synod and the Evangelical Alliance. Rodney Woods serves as the current minister. It is famous for the preaching of Leslie Weatherhead, a leading 20th-century liberal theologian. Other notable ministers included R. J. Campbell, Joseph Fort Newton and Joseph Parker. Campbell’s radical ‘New Theology’ sparked national debate in the early 20th century. Newton, an American Baptist, faced opposition but stayed with support from the congregation. Weatherhead rebuilt the church after the Blitz with help from John D. Rockefeller Jr. Visitors find a Grade II-listed building with a marble pulpit presented by the City of London. The interior reflects its Nonconformist heritage and preaching tradition. The location on Holborn Viaduct offers views across central London. Services continue today under Rodney Woods. The church remains a place of worship and quiet reflection in the heart of the City.