The building that is today known as Brick Lane Jamme Masjid was constructed in 1743 as a Protestant chapel. It was built by French Huguenot refugees who had fled religious persecution in continental Europe and settled in London's East End. The chapel was originally known as La Neuve Église (The New Church) and served a growing community of silk weavers and craftsmen who made Spitalfields their home. From its earliest days, the building was dedicated to worship, preaching, and congregational life.
By 1809, demographic changes in the area led to the chapel being taken over by Methodists. It became known as the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, continuing its Christian function but serving a different congregation as the Huguenot population gradually integrated into wider British society.
In 1898, reflecting another significant wave of migration into the East End, the building was purchased by the Jewish community and converted into the Machzikei Hadath Synagogue. Thousands of Jewish families had arrived from Eastern Europe in the late nineteenth century, seeking refuge and opportunity. For much of the twentieth century, the building functioned as an active synagogue, hosting prayer services, religious instruction, and community gatherings. During this period, it stood at the heart of Jewish life in Brick Lane.
By the mid-twentieth century, many Jewish families had moved to other parts of London, particularly to the suburbs. At the same time, a growing number of Muslims — especially those of Bangladeshi heritage — were settling in the East End. In 1976, the building was purchased and formally established as Brick Lane Jamme Masjid. It was carefully adapted for Islamic worship, including the reorientation of the prayer space towards Makkah and the installation of features necessary for congregational prayer.
Since 1976, the Masjid has remained an active and central institution for the local Muslim community. It has served generations of worshippers, offering daily prayers, Jumu'ah services, Islamic education, Ramadan programmes, and community support. Today it seats around 3,000 worshippers for the Friday Jummah prayer — and the building continues to function as a living place of worship rather than a static heritage monument.
"While the communities have changed, the building's sacred purpose has endured — remaining, in every era, a place devoted to prayer, faith, and belonging."
A living history
1743
Built by French Huguenot Protestant refugees fleeing persecution — a chapel for the silk weavers and craftsmen of Spitalfields, and the building's first congregation.
1809
Taken over by Methodists as the Huguenot community integrated into wider British society — the same walls, a new congregation.
1898
Purchased by the Jewish community amid mass migration from Eastern Europe. For much of the 20th century it stood at the heart of Jewish life in Brick Lane.
1976
Established as the masjid, with the prayer space reoriented towards Makkah. Today it serves thousands and seats around 3,000 for Jummah.
Why it matters
Few buildings in Britain have served consecutively as a Huguenot chapel (1743), a Methodist chapel (1809), a synagogue (1898), and a mosque (1976 to the present day). This layered history reflects the broader story of migration and settlement in East London — wave after wave of newcomers turning to the same corner of the city to worship, to learn, and to find one another.
Standing on the corner of Brick Lane and Fournier Street, in the heart of Spitalfields, the masjid is at once a place of daily prayer and a landmark of the nation's shared heritage. To understand how that heritage shapes the masjid's role in the country today, read more about Our Place in Britain, or return to the About & Heritage overview.
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