Beneath our feet, Roman remains whisper tales of a history stretching back two millennia. Today, we stand before St Mary Woolnoth. This Anglican church graces the corner of Lombard Street and King William Street. It stands near Bank junction in the City of London.
St Mary Woolnoth is a testament to survival. It is also a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture. Nicholas Hawksmoor designed this church. He was a protege of Sir Christopher Wren.
Let’s delve into the story of St Mary Woolnoth. Its origins trace back to 1191. Back then, it was known as Wilnotmaricherche. The name “Woolnoth” likely honors a benefactor. Perhaps Wulnoth de Walebrok. Or maybe Wulfnoth Cild, grandfather of King Harold Godwinson. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary of the Nativity.
This site has hosted at least three churches. A Norman church stood here until 1445. It was then rebuilt and topped with a spire in 1485. The Great Fire of London in 1666 severely damaged it. Sir Christopher Wren repaired it but the structure remained unsafe. It had to be demolished in 1711.
Hawksmoor began rebuilding St Mary Woolnoth in 1716. It reopened on Easter Day 1727. Hawksmoor made a statement with his design. The imposing facade features two flat-topped turrets. Corinthian columns support them. The west side has unique recesses. They bear forward-curving pediments on skewed columns.
The interior surprises with its spaciousness. It is a cube within a cube. Three rows of four columns define a square. This square sits inside a wider square. A baroque baldaquin dominates the space. It is modeled after Bernini’s in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
St Mary Woolnoth faced demolition several times. The most serious threat arose with the construction of Bank Underground station. The City & South London Railway planned to demolish it from 1897-1900. Public outcry saved the church. The crypt was sold to the railway. Bones were reburied in Ilford. Steel girders now support the church. The lift and staircase shafts sit directly beneath the floor.
Remarkably, St Mary Woolnoth survived World War Two unscathed. In 1950, it earned Grade I listed building status.
John Newton served as rector here from 1780 to 1807. He was a former slave trader. He later became an abolitionist. Newton wrote the words to “Amazing Grace”. His memorial stands within these walls.
Edward Lloyd is also memorialized here. He founded Lloyd’s Coffee House. It later became Lloyd’s of London.
Look for the clock mechanism inside St Mary Woolnoth. T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” is etched around it. Eliot worked nearby. He captured the image of commuters trudging to work.
St Mary Woolnoth stands as a survivor. It has survived fires, potential demolition, and war. It is a testament to faith. It is also a tribute to architectural innovation. As you leave, remember the layers of history. They lie beneath your feet. Remember the stories echoing within these walls.