Sir Christopher Wren was 33 years old and near the beginning of his career as an architect when the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed many of the city's public buildings, including 88 of its parish churches. Wren's office was commissioned to build 51 replacement churches and St Paul's Cathedral. Many of these buildings survive to this day; others have been substantially altered or rebuilt. Some others were completely or partially destroyed during the German Blitz of 1940–41; others were demolished for different reasons.
Many of Wren's churches were demolished as the population of the City of London declined in the 19th century and more were destroyed or damaged during the Blitz.
Image | Name | Location | Date | Listing | Comment | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St Magnus-the-Martyr | Lower Thames Street, Bridge, City of London | 1671–87 | Grade I (1950) | altered after London Bridge was widened in 1762 | 51°30′33.41″N0°5′10.81″W / 51.5092806°N 0.0863361°W | |
St Mary-at-Hill | Lovat Lane, Billingsgate, City of London | 1670–76 | Grade I (1950) | altered in 1787–88 and 1826–27 | 51°30′36″N0°05′01″W / 51.510069°N 0.08374°W |
The Blitz in 1940–1941 damaged nearly all the churches in the City of London and many were nearly destroyed leaving just the outer walls and tower. However most of them were rebuilt to Wren's original design.
These churches were destroyed in the Blitz or demolished in the 19th century. Only their towers remained with perhaps a short section of the outer wall. They are no longer working churches.
Image | Name | Location | Date | Listing | Comment | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All Hallows Lombard Street | Lombard Street, Langbourn, City of London | 1686–94 | never listed | Demolished in 1939, with the tower and interior fittings moved to All Hallows Twickenham | 51°30′39.09″N0°5′5.84″W / 51.5108583°N 0.0849556°W | |
St Mary Aldermanbury | Aldermanbury, Bassishaw, City of London | 1670–74 | Grade II (1972) | Ruined in 1940, and the stones transported to Fulton, Missouri in 1964. Rebuilt as a memorial to Sir Winston Churchill | 51°30′59.34″N0°5′35.06″W / 51.5164833°N 0.0930722°W |
The population of the City of London declined sharply in the 19th century, and the Union of Benefices Act 1860 reduced the number of parish churches. The surplus churches were demolished.
These churches were destroyed in the Blitz and their ruins demolished afterwards.
Image | Name | Location | Date | Demolition | Coordinates |
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St Stephen Coleman Street | Coleman Street, Coleman Street Ward, City of London | 1677 | 1940 | 51°30′56″N0°05′25″W / 51.5155°N 0.0904°W | |
St Mildred, Bread Street | Bread Street, Vintry, City of London | 1677–83 | 1941 | 51°30′44″N0°05′43″W / 51.5123°N 0.0952°W | |
St Swithin, London Stone | Cannon Street, Walbrook, City of London | 1678 | 1962 | 51°30′42″N0°5′22″W / 51.51167°N 0.08944°W |
Image | Name | Location | Date | Listing | Comment | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temple Church | Fleet Street, Farringdon Without, City of London | 1682–83 | Grade I (1950) | During the restoration after the Blitz Wren's wooden altar was discovered in a museum and was restored to its original position | 51°30′47.52″N0°06′37.44″W / 51.5132000°N 0.1104000°W |
These churches were outside the area of the Great Fire of London.
Image | Name | Location | Date | Listing | Comment | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St Anne's Church, Soho | Dean Street, Soho, City of Westminster | 1677–85 | Grade II (1958) | The body of the church by Wren and William Talman was destroyed in the Blitz and later totally demolished; the preserved tower was built by S. P. Cockerell in 1801–03 | 51°30′45″N0°07′56″W / 51.5124°N 0.1323°W | |
St Clement Danes | Strand, City of Westminster | 1680–82 | Grade I (1958) | Destroyed in 1941; reconsecrated in 1958 after the Blitz. | 51°30′47″N0°06′50″W / 51.513107°N 0.113898°W | |
St James's Church, Piccadilly | Piccadilly, St James's, City of Westminster | 1676–84 | Grade I (1958) | Destroyed in 1940; restored in 1947–54 after the Blitz | 51°30′31″N0°8′12″W / 51.50861°N 0.13667°W | |
Chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea | Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | 1682–87 | Grade I (1969) | Wren designed the rest of the Hospital, as well. | 51°29′11″N0°9′28″W / 51.48639°N 0.15778°W |
The Church of St Mary-le-Bow is a Church of England parish church in the City of London, England. Located on Cheapside, one of the city's oldest thoroughfares, the church was founded in 1080, by Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury. Rebuilt several times over the ensuing centuries, the present church is the work of Sir Christopher Wren, following the Great Fire of London (1666). With its tall spire, it is still a landmark in the City of London, being the third highest of any Wren church, surpassed only by nearby St Paul's Cathedral and St Bride's, Fleet Street. At a cost of over £15,000, it was also his second most expensive, again only surpassed by St Paul's Cathedral.
St Dunstan-in-the-East was a Church of England parish church on St Dunstan's Hill, halfway between London Bridge and the Tower of London in the City of London. The church was largely destroyed in the Second World War and the ruins are now a public garden.
Christ Church Greyfriars, also known as Christ Church Newgate Street, was a church in Newgate Street, opposite St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. Established as a monastic church in the thirteenth century, it became a parish church after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Following its destruction in the Great Fire of London of 1666, it was rebuilt to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. Except for the tower, the church was largely destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. The decision was made not to rebuild the church; the ruins are now a public garden.
St Mary Aldermary, is an Anglican guild church located on Bow Lane at the junction with Watling St, in the City of London. Of medieval origin, rebuilding began under the Tudor Henry VIII in 1510 and was not finished until the reign of the Stuart monarch Charles I in 1632. Severely damaged just 33 years later during the Great Fire of London in 1666, it was rebuilt once more, this time by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. Unlike most of Wren's City churches, St Mary Aldermary was reconstructed in the Gothic style, an outstanding example of the first — 17th century — Gothic Revival. Nearly a millennium after its foundation SMA continues to offer a place for contemplation with pre-work 8am gatherings three times a week and after work at 6pm on Wednesday.
St James Garlickhythe is a Church of England parish church in Vintry ward of the City of London, nicknamed "Wren's lantern" owing to its profusion of windows.
St Alban's was a church in Wood Street, City of London. It was dedicated to Saint Alban. Of medieval origin, it was rebuilt in 1634, destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, and rebuilt, this time to a Gothic design by Sir Christopher Wren. It was severely damaged by bombing during the Second World War and the ruins cleared, leaving only the tower.
St. Mary Somerset was a church in the City of London first recorded in the twelfth century. Destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, it was one of the 51 churches rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. The tower is located in Upper Thames Street, the body of the church being demolished in 1871.
St. Michael Queenhithe was a church in the City of London located in what is now Upper Thames Street. First recorded in the 12th century, the church was destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666. Rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren, it was demolished in 1876.
All Hallows Bread Street was a parish church in the Bread Street ward of the City of London, England. It stood on the east side of Bread Street, on the corner with Watling Street. First mentioned in the 13th century, the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. The church was rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren and demolished in 1876.
All-Hallows-the-Great was a church in the City of London, located on what is now Upper Thames Street, first mentioned in 1235. Destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666, the church was rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. All-Hallows-the-Great was demolished in 1894 when many bodies were disinterred from the churchyard and reburied at Brookwood Cemetery.
St. Stephen's Church, Coleman Street, also called "St Stephen's in the Jewry", was a church in the City of London, at the corner of Coleman Street and what is now Gresham Street, first mentioned in the 12th century. In the middle ages it is variously described as a parish church, and as a chapel of ease to the church of St Olave Old Jewry; its parochial status was defined permanently in 1456.
St Olave's Church, Old Jewry, sometimes known as Upwell Old Jewry, was a church in the City of London located between the street called Old Jewry and Ironmonger Lane. Destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, the church was rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. The church was demolished in 1887, except for the tower and west wall, which remain today.
St. Bartholomew-by-the-Exchange was a church and parish in the City of London located on Bartholomew Lane, off Threadneedle Street. Recorded since the 13th century, the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, then rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. The rebuilt church was demolished in 1840.
St Benet Gracechurch, so called because a haymarket existed nearby (Cobb), was a parish church in the City of London. First recorded in the 11th century, it was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666 and rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. The church was demolished in 1868.
St Benet Fink was a church and parish in the City of London located on what is now Threadneedle Street. Recorded since the 13th century, the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666, then rebuilt to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. The Wren church was demolished between 1841 and 1846.
St Michael Bassishaw, or Basinshaw, was a parish church in Basinghall Street in the City of London, standing on land now occupied by the Barbican Centre complex. Recorded since the 12th century, the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666, then rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. The rebuilt church was demolished in 1900.
St. Mary Magdalen Old Fish Street was a church in Castle Baynard ward of the City of London, England, located on the corner of Old Fish Street and Old Change, on land now covered by post-War development. Recorded since the 12th century, the church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666, then rebuilt by the office of Sir Christopher Wren. The rebuilt church suffered damage to its roof from a fire in an adjacent warehouse in 1886. It was not repaired, and was finally demolished in 1893.
St Swithin, London Stone, was an Anglican Church in the City of London. It stood on the north side of Cannon Street, between Salters' Hall Court and St Swithin's Lane, which runs north from Cannon Street to King William Street and takes its name from the church. Of medieval origin, it was destroyed by the Great Fire of London, and rebuilt to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. It was badly damaged by bombing during the Second World War, and the remains were demolished in 1962.