Right here where we stand once stood St Thomas the Apostle. This was a parish church in the City of London. Its story is one of faith, destruction, and remembrance.
St Thomas the Apostle existed by the late twelfth century. It stood on St Thomas Apostle Street. Imagine the bustling city life around it.
The church’s history is closely tied to the canons of St Paul’s. The church is mentioned in their register as early as 1181. John Stow suggests it was rebuilt in the late fourteenth century. He describes John Barnes, Lord Mayor in 1371 as a great builder of St Thomas Apostles parish church. His arms were displayed in stone and glass.
In the years before the Civil War, the parish was staunchly Royalist. In 1642, the rector named Cooper faced consequences. He was sequestered and imprisoned in Leeds Castle for his loyalty to the king. Times were turbulent and faith was tested.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 brought devastation. St Thomas’ was destroyed. A Rebuilding Act followed. Sir Christopher Wren led a committee to decide which churches would be rebuilt. St Thomas the Apostle was not chosen. Instead, the parish was united with St Mary Aldermary.
Part of the site was repurposed. It became part of Queen Street. However, a small portion of the churchyard survived. Even in destruction, a piece of its memory remained.
Today a plaque marks the site of St Thomas the Apostle. It is located in Great St Thomas Apostle Street near Mansion House tube station. This plaque is a reminder of what once stood here.
Edmund Allen, Bishop of Rochester, was buried in St Thomas the Apostle. His remains rest somewhere beneath our feet. His presence adds another layer to the church’s history.
Though St Thomas the Apostle is gone its memory lives on. It lives on in historical records and city plans. It also lives on through the plaque marking its location. The church is a reminder of London’s past. It reminds us of the challenges and changes the city has faced. It stands as a testament to faith. It stands as a testament to community. It stands as a testament to remembrance.