French Protestant Church of London is SOHO. Ironically only a small piece of greenery SOHO square separates it from the Catholic Church of St. Patrick. But it is the persecution of Catholics, the Huguenots fled to England for many years.

The height of the Protestant Exodus from France came in 1685 when Louis XIV revoked the edict of Nantes which guaranteed religious freedom. Then in England had so many Huguenots that by 1700, London was already 23 French Church. Church on SOHO square is the only remaining. It is housed in a building specially built by the architect Aston Webb in 1893.

In this project, Webb amazing combines English tradition with French Gothic style. Brick terracotta and dark plum colors shows that the Church stands in the harsh London, but Bay Windows, arched Windows, transoms, shafts, pinnacles, elegant bell tower are hinting at France. Sandwiched between the neighbouring houses, the Church, however, looks light.

The tympanum above the entrance has attracted particular attention. Delightful stone relief of John Prangnell was established there in 1950, to chetyrekhsotletiyu the opening of the first French Protestant Church in London (Tredmill street). The relief shows a stylized history of French emigration. Here the boat arrives in Dover coxswain waving a handkerchief, enjoying a successful flight, but passengers seem seasick. Here on the shore came the woman in the clogs and the spinning wheel is an indication of the production of silk fabrics, home at the time, the profession of Protestants. But in Dover castle, the leaders of the Huguenots in the dress of the sixteenth century take from Edward VI's Charter, allowing the presence of foreign churches in England (actually Edward was then a child, on behalf of the rules the Lord protector the Duke of Somerset). And above them the angels holding the cross, and the Holy Spirit as a dove overshadows all wings. Figures bighead, funny, expressive eyes – a lovely relief!

The choice of location for the Church was not accidental – already in XVIII century, SOHO became a refuge for immigrants from Europe. It was called the London Latin or just the French quarter. By this time settled here many French nobles who fled the revolution. The latest wave of refugees has brought world – lived in SOHO representatives of La France combattante (among them andré Philip, associate of General de Gaulle).

The names of the streets in SOHO are still talking about the former French presence: beaumont place, Dufort place, a quiet place. The French are in such quantity now no longer here, but there are enough of them to form a branch of the Church on SOHO square.