London on screen: the church from ‘The Omen’

Did you know that bits of the classic horror movie ‘The Omen’ were filmed in Fulham? Here’s a look behind the scene…

The location: All Saints Church, Fulham, SW6 3LA.

The scene: An anxious Father Brennan (Patrick Troughton) fails to convince Gregory Peck’s American diplomat that his child is the son of Satan. As the priest seeks refuge in his church from a sudden thunderstorm, he is impaled by a lightning rod thrown from the tower.

Then: With its 96-foot tower and grand Victorian architecture, the church was the perfect location for a horror classic. The Parochial Church Council only approved filming because the production had financial backing from Christian groups.

Now: The church looks largely the same, which explains why it still attracts so many tourists. ‘We get “Omen” fans here three to four times a day,’ says Vernon Burgess, chair of history at All Saints. ‘Usually it’s a springboard for them to come in and learn more about the church, and that’s only a good thing.’

For more of the city on screen, check out our list of the 30 best London movies.