London Churches

 

St Dunstan-in-the-east

First up is one of my favourites, St Dunstan-in-the-East. It is actually a ruin, as it was bombed in the war and never rebuilt. Instead, it has become a garden, foliage climbing up the walls and through the glassless windows. I have been here when no one else was, and the atmosphere is one of peace and serenity. However, this time there were walking groups going through. It was very busy, and I had to wait for a spot to sit down. There was also some filming going on. Peace and serenity it was not! However, it was a Saturday, and I'd recommend visiting in the week, and probably not during August! The nearest tube station is Monument, and it's close to the River Thames.

St Dunstan-in-the-east

My second port of call was St Margaret Pattern, one of only a few churches to escape bombing during the war. This is a Guild church and you can see on display weaved baskets and shoes.

St Margaret Pattern

Next came St Mary Abchurch. This is the one I had little time in. It has a dome from 1708 and the best complete woodwork surviving.

St Mary Woolnoth is a short distance away. It has an old clock with a verse from The Waste Land by TS Eliot. The church was repaired by Wren after the Great Fire of London and survived the blitz.

The final church is St Stephen Walbrook. From the outside it doesn't look especially grand, but inside there is a domed ceiling. The church is one of light. Pews are set in a circle around the altar and the altar itself is a huge stone piece designed by Sir Henry Moore. This is another favourite church of mine. You can still see parts of the old church, the dark wood, but the light is what attracts me.

St Stephen Walbrook

There is one more church I would like to share with you. My friend and I found this one open on a short walk along the Thames Path near Richmond. I have walked past it before, but it has never been open, so we were lucky this day. St Peter's Church, Petersham is a lovely church with some unusual features. The stairs to the gallery are hidden to the side and the layout is wider than long. There are some original pew boxes. There has been worship on this site for at least 1300 years. The pathway of the Thames runs along the side of the graveyard and around the back. This is part of the Kingston to Richmond stretch, so if you walk this path you will come to it.

St Peter's

Well, that is my quick tour of some churches in London and one in the suburbs. Hope you have enjoyed.