Long before London Bridge stood tall St Saviour’s history began. A ferry crossed the Thames here. A maiden named Mary inherited it. She built a nunnery on this very spot. This is the legendary start of St Saviour’s.
St Saviour’s is more than legend. It’s a place of Christian worship for over a thousand years. Initially dedicated to St Mary it became Southwark Priory. Augustinian canons lived here. They established a hospital. St Thomas’s Hospital is its descendant.
The church saw many changes. It was rebuilt after fires. The Gothic structure you see today dates from 1220 to 1420. The nave is a later addition. John Gower the poet lived nearby. He’s buried here. His tomb remains a stunning memorial.
In 1539 Henry VIII dissolved the priory. St Mary Overie became St Saviour’s parish church. The parishioners bought it in 1611. It thrived as a parish church. Many actors and playwrights were buried here. Edmund Shakespeare William’s brother is one. His grave isn’t marked but is remembered.
The 1800s brought restorations. George Gwilt saved much of the church. The nave was rebuilt in the late 1800s. The building nearly vanished when London Bridge changed. Its proximity to the railway is a testament to that time.
In 1905 St Saviour’s became a cathedral. It now serves millions. Modern additions blend old and new. It hosts services and events. St Saviour’s Southwark Cathedral continues to thrive. It stands as a symbol of history faith and community. A living legacy on the banks of the Thames.