St. George's Church, Leicester

Saint George's Church in Leicester stands as a historical and architectural landmark in the heart of the city, nestled between Colton Street and Queen Street. This 200-year-old church lends its name to the Saint George’s Cultural Quarter and serves today as the parish church of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Leicester.

Constructed between 1823 and 1827, Saint George’s Church was the first Church of England parish church built in Leicester since the Reformation. It was commissioned under the Church Building Act of 1818, a program initiated to commemorate Britain’s victory at Waterloo by providing new places of worship in rapidly growing urban centers. As industrialization spurred population growth in towns and cities, Saint George’s was established as a new parish, carved out from the expansive Saint Margaret’s parish to meet the increasing demand for religious services.

Saint George’s Church was designed by the architect William Parsons in the Gothic Revival style. Over the years, it underwent significant changes, including a major restoration in 1911 following a fire. Originally serving the Anglican community, it transitioned to a Serbian Orthodox Church in the early 1970s and was granted Grade II listed status in 1983, recognizing its historical and architectural significance.

Today, Saint George’s Church remains a focal point within Leicester’s cultural and religious landscape. Surrounded by its tranquil churchyard, it continues to serve as both a place of worship and a historical testament to the city’s evolving religious and architectural heritage.