Corpus Christi Catholic Church, located on Maiden Lane, known as the hidden jewel. Hidden - because it is modest in a narrow street in Covent Garden, sandwiched between other houses, and every pedestrian understand, by what takes place. A jewel - because it is a small, but beautiful and beloved parish church where each week the Mass in Latin.

History Covent Garden would be complete without mention of this temple. This area has always lived many Catholics: the future Saint Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, the architect Inigo Jones, the poet John Dryden, composer, author of the hymn "Rule Britannia" Thomas Arne. Along with celebrities in Covent Garden has lived a great number of Catholics, the poor - the Irish diaspora, and so was great, and in the XIX century, during the so-called "potato famine" in Ireland, it has grown.

While the Catholic Church has been banned, Mass was celebrated in the chapels of foreign embassies - Sardinia, Bavaria, Spain, Venice, taverns and homes. Following the publication in 1832 of the "Act on freedom of Catholics" was a question of building in Covent Garden, the Catholic parish church. Its first stone was laid in 1873. Architect Frederick Guy ponel had to build in the cramped and uncomfortable space. In addition, local residents worried, as if the Church did not come out too high, so that Ponnelle "utopia" of the brown brick building is three feet below the level of the sidewalk.

The church dedicated to the Body of Christ, that is the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (Holy Communion), and in the temple resembles a lot about it. Stained large window on the east side shows the saints whose names are associated with the Blessed Sacrament, among them - Holy Juliana, under whose visions was installed feast of Corpus Christi. The temple is a unique statue of St. Tartsiziya - Roman boy martyr of III century. He was torn to pieces by the crowd, but did not give it to mock the Holy Communion, which was carrying a patient.

Statue of St. genesis - Roman actor, died for the faith, the patron saint of actors - is also not accidental. Covent Garden - London's theater district, the Church of the Body of Christ has long been considered acting and is a spiritual home for the members of the Catholic Association of Performing Arts.