Fancy a journey through time right here in London? We are standing before the site of what was once St Mary Somerset. It is a church steeped in history. Its story is one of faith, fire, and ultimately, change.
St Mary Somerset was first recorded in the 12th century. Imagine London back then. It was a bustling medieval city. St Mary’s name might come from Ralph de Somery. He was a figure mentioned in records from that time. Another possibility links it to Summer’s Hithe. This was a small haven on the River Thames.
Interestingly, in 1370, the Mayor of London ordered the Brabant weaver community to gather in St Mary Somerset’s churchyard. They were to hire serving men there. This was due to disputes with Flemish weavers. The Flemish were told to meet far away at St Laurence Pountney’s churchyard.
Now picture the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was a devastating event. St Mary Somerset was among the many churches destroyed. But, like a phoenix, it was rebuilt. This time, it was under the guidance of the renowned Sir Christopher Wren.
Building the new St Mary Somerset started in 1686. Work stopped in 1688 because of financial uncertainty. The Glorious Revolution caused this. Rebuilding began again the next year. The church was completed in 1694. It cost £6579.
The parish was quite poor. Wren even provided funds for the church’s furnishings. He used money from the Coal Tax. The rebuilt church was smaller than before. The city took some land to widen Thames Street.
Let’s not forget Bishop Gilbert Ironside. He was Chancellor of Oxford University. He stood up to James II. Ironside defended the rights of Fellows. He was buried here in 1701. Later, his remains and tombstone were moved to Hereford Cathedral in 1867.
Fast forward to the 18th century. St Mary Somerset gained a reputation as a Low Church. James Malcolm noted its neglected state in 1803. He mentioned a Methodist preacher held services there.
Tragedy struck in 1805. The communion plate was stolen. It was never recovered. The Bishop of Hereford was the patron of St Mary Somerset until the mid-19th century. Then, the patronage transferred to the Bishop of London.
The 19th century brought big changes. People moved from the City of London to the suburbs. This left many city churches with few people attending services. The Union of Benefices Act of 1860 allowed for the demolition of some City churches. The land sale would fund new churches in the growing suburbs.
The final service at St Mary Somerset happened on February 1, 1867. Only about 70 people attended. The parish then merged with St Nicholas Cole Abbey. St Mary Somerset was demolished in 1871.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Architect Ewan Christian ensured the tower was saved. The sale’s proceeds helped build St Mary Hoxton. It also received the furnishings and bell from St Mary Somerset.
Before World War II, the church tower served as a woman’s restroom. Today, the tower stands on a traffic island. It is surrounded by a small garden.
The tower is a Grade I listed building. Its unique feature? The eight Baroque pinnacles. They create an optical illusion. The pinnacles were removed after bomb damage in the London Blitz. They were restored in 1956.
Currently, the building is being transformed. It will become a private family home. The tower of St Mary Somerset remains. It is a testament to London’s ever-evolving story. It stands as a reminder of the city’s rich past. A past filled with faith, fire, and transformation.