Guild Church of Saint Margaret Pattens

Why on earth would a church be named after footwear? You might ask yourself this very question standing here before the Guild Church of Saint Margaret Pattens. The name Guild Church of Saint Margaret Pattens itself holds a quirky piece of London’s history. See, in medieval times, the streets of London were no walk in the park, or should I say, no walk in the market. They were muddy, messy, and let’s just say, not the most pleasant places for a stroll. The solution? Pattens! Imagine wooden soles, sometimes even equipped with protective iron rings, strapped to your shoes. Practical? Absolutely. Fashionable? Debatable. These pattens allowed people to navigate the muck without ruining their footwear. The connection to the Guild Church of Saint Margaret Pattens? It’s believed that a large community of patten makers lived and worked near the church. Their trade, a necessity in those times, became forever linked with the church’s name. The present building, dating back to 1687, is the work of the renowned architect, Sir Christopher Wren. He rebuilt the Guild Church of Saint Margaret Pattens after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Step inside and look up to see a rarity in Wren’s architectural repertoire: a spire designed in a medieval style. This “true spire”, as it is often called, adds a touch of the old world to Wren’s typically classical style. The Guild Church of Saint Margaret Pattens is a testament to survival, resilience, and perhaps, a reminder that even the muddiest of paths can lead to something extraordinary.