Saint Anne’s

Hidden within the vibrant heart of Soho lies St Anne’s Church. It’s a place of peace amidst the lively streets. St Anne’s has a rich history. The church we see today wasn’t the first on this site. The original St Anne’s was designed by William Talman. He worked with Sir Christopher Wren. Consecrated in 1686, the church was known for its music. Dr William Croft, the director of music, composed the famous hymn tune “St Anne”. Sadly, the original church was destroyed during a bombing raid in 1940. Only the tower and the historic Allen Room survived. For years, the site remained a car park. The local community fought hard. Finally, in 1991, a new church was built. The design is simple, housing both a chapel and a community hall. Even without a physical building, the church remained active. Author Dorothy L. Sayers served as Churchwarden during this time. Her ashes are now buried within the tower. St Anne’s has always been inclusive. It has a long history of engaging with the diverse Soho community. The charity Centrepoint, supporting young homeless people, began here. St Anne’s also played a role in education. Members of the church vestry established the first Parish School in 1699. Soho Parish School is still thriving today. The former churchyard is now St Anne’s Gardens. It’s a peaceful spot. It’s hard to imagine that thousands of bodies are buried beneath the ground, including the essayist William Hazlitt. St Anne’s stands as a testament to resilience and community spirit. It has been destroyed, rebuilt, and reimagined, but it has always remained a place of peace.