A pair of imposing iron gates now stand astride the entrance to the Woolwich Garrison Church at the Royal Arsenal.

Overlooking the Thames at the arsenal, the gates were unveiled on April 11 and replaced the temporary wooden ones that prevented people from seeing the historic site.

The large Victorian Gothic church has quite a bit of history to it, having the unlucky distinction of being bombed in both world wars after it was built in the 1860s.

A flying V1 bomb destroyed much of the building on July 14, 1944, and the church remained a desolate wreck for a long time afterwards.

However in recent years huge efforts had gone into restoring what’s left of the building and is now regularly used for worship and other functions.

Earl Howe, minister of state at the Ministry of Defence said: “The design and craftsmanship involved in the production of the gates is fitting for a building so steeped in history and a welcome reminder of the Church’s enduring relationship with the Royal Artillery.”

Diana Beattie, chairman of Heritage for London Trust Operations, said: “We became involved with the Garrison Church when it was on the Heritage at Risk Register.

“With assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund, HOLTOP commissioned the new arched tensile roof over the east end of the Church and the restoration of some of the mosaics.

“During 2018 HOLTOP is carrying out ambitious further works to the fabric of the Church and the altar.

“We share the ambitions of the Woolwich Garrison Church Trust to maintain the Church as a place for regular religious Services while at the same time keeping it open for a variety of other uses.”