St.Peter’s Italian Church – the hub for Italian immigrants in past and present

By / / Spring 2023 / Leave a comment

St.Peter’s Italian Church is the church located in the heart of the Italian immigrant community in Clerkenwell. It is well known for its beautiful architecture. Unpacking the context of this church reveals its function not only as a place to pray but also as a hub for the Italian community.

History – the Hatton Garden

But first, why did Italian immigrants decide to reside in Clerkenwell?

Italian immigrants, affected by the Napoleonic wars in the early 19th century, chose to settle in Clerkenwell due to the historical significance of the area(“Hatton Garden Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy.” 2017) . Clerkenwell boasted a vibrant jewellery trading hub known as “Hatton Garden,” which attracted skilled Italian craftsmen. The area’s old houses, no longer fashionable residences, were easily repurposed for industrial use, featuring basement workshops, ground-floor shops, and living quarters above. In addition to jewellery crafting, prominent industries included clock and watch-making, printing, engraving, and technical manufacturing. Faced with these favourable conditions, Italian craftsmen gravitated towards this area, making it their home.

Hatton Garden – the photograph taken by the author

The second wave of immigrants happened in the mid-19th century when younger and poorer Italians settled in this area. This was because, at that time, this area was one of the slums where the environment was poor, thus the rent was affordable for the younger immigrants.

The influx of Italian immigrants into Clerkenwell steadily grew over time. According to the Italian Council, more than 12,000 Italian-born individuals eventually made their home in this area. This is the reason why Italians started to gradually create their diasporic community around Clerkenwell.

St.Peter’s Italian Church – past

St.Peter’s Italian Church (photograph taken by the author)

This church was opened in 1863, to provide Italian immigrants in Clerkenwell to pray and share their creed. (“Home” n.d.). This church was the only church in Britain designed in an Italian architectural style. Its architecture represents how Italians expressed their Italian identity, although it remains the locality of London. As you can see from the photograph, the ground floor or the entrance of the church is beautifully decorated in extraordinary Italian style. There is Italian written on the wall as well.

However, the first floor and the second floor are made of red brick which aligns with the surrounding environment of London. Even, the size and colour of the window are non-decorative but simple that seamlessly integrate into the local. Therefore, it’s likely that this church played a crucial role in fostering the developing identity of Italian migrants, aiding in the fusion of their Italian heritage with their newfound community in Clerkenwell.

St.Peter’s Italian Church – present

Sadly, the Italian community in Clerkenwell have disappeared because of the heavy bombing during the World War 2. Italian immigrants and people who have a heritage of Italian immigrants moved to various places in the United Kingdom. But still, this church remains as the hub for Italians living in the UK. One key project that is held in this built environment is the St.Peter’s project. The St. Peter’s project is a group dedicated to assisting Italians or members of the Italian community in London who require support. This project also offers opportunities for Italians to work together “for Italians”, such as supporting imprisoned Italians in the UK (St.Peter’s project, n.d).

Additionally, after Italians moved from this area, a few Italian-related associations created their office near this church. This includes Associazioni Cristiane Lavoratori Italiani which provides social support for working ethics (“Who We Are – Patronato Acli” n.d.), and the Casa Italiana san Vincenzo Pallotti, the shared community with cultural practices (Casa Italiana san Vincenzo Pallotti, n.d) .

Casa Italiana (photograph taken by the author)

Hence, the essence of being Italian persists, despite the physical dispersal of many community members. This suggests that while the community expanded its residential and business ventures beyond the confines of the original Little Italy, it still regarded this London locale as its “origin” within the diasporic community (Burns 2020). Its shared beliefs, cultural customs, strong work ethic, and culinary traditions continue to reflect a deeply rooted sense of community, enriched by history. The enduring imprint of the Italian community is evident in the built environments along Clerkenwell Road, illustrating how spatial contexts shape the collective memory of transnational communities.

References

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