Shadows of the Wanderer sculpture arrives at St John’s Waterloo

"I think London needs to see it," said parish priest Canon Giles Goddard who at the launch on Thursday called the sculpture "a tremendously good and wonderful work".

Larger than life-size figures stand behind a young man who is carrying an old man on his shoulders. The work recalls Aeneas carrying his father from the ruins of Troy.

It has been chosen to resonate with a 'Faith, Justice, City' season which will see a series of sermons and events focusing on London's diverse communities.

Speakers include Loretta Minghella, sister of the late Anthony Minghella and chief executive of Christian Aid. Islamic Relief UK director Jehangir Malik will also give an address during a Sunday morning service.

Christian Aid and Islamic Relief UK are both based in Lower Marsh.

British Museum director Neil MacGregor, presenter of the recent BBC Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 Objects, will take part in two events.

He is giving both a Sunday sermon on 'Faith, Justice, Art' and chairing a discussion where panellists include Karen Armstrong and Ana Maria Pacheco. They will be joined by Xavier Bray who curated last year's Sacred Made Real exhibition at the National Gallery.

Also giving talks are Bishop of Kingston Richard Cheetham, priest and lecturer Clare Herbert and Waterloo's own MP Kate Hoey.

"St John's is a place where we ask questions about faith and contemporary society," said Canon Goddard. "This programme of talks and art is for people of all faiths and none. It's planned to reflect and resonate with concerns and issues facing London today."

St John's Waterloo, opposite the BFI IMAX, is open daily. The guest preachers will be speaking during the 10.30am Sunday services from 7 November to 19 December.