Lost in the city’s hustle it is easy to miss the serene presence of St Anne and St Agnes. This church stands as a testament to resilience and architectural ingenuity. St Anne and St Agnes is located on Gresham Street near the Barbican. Its story is one of survival and transformation.
The history of St Anne and St Agnes stretches back to 1137. Documents from that time mention “St Agnes near Alderychgate”. They also mention the “priest of St Anne’s” near Aldredesgate. The church has had a somewhat confused identity. Norman records refer to it as both St Anne-in-the-Willows and St Agnes. Its unique double dedication appeared around the 15th century.
Fire ravaged the church in 1548. It was rebuilt. Further work occurred in 1624. Only the 14th-century tower partially survived the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt St Anne and St Agnes in 1680. Some believe Robert Hooke contributed to the design. The brick church features an unusual Greek cross layout. This design mirrors the Nieuwe Kerk in Haarlem. Wren used similar designs at St Martin Ludgate and St Mary-at-Hill. In 1670 Parliament united St Anne’s with St John Zachary. St John’s was not rebuilt after the Great Fire.
Extensive restorations took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. German bombing during the London Blitz heavily damaged St Anne and St Agnes on December 29-30 1940. Rededication occurred in 1966. Donations from the worldwide Lutheran church aided the restoration. It served exiled Estonian and Latvian communities. The reconstructed interior blends pre-war replicas with fittings from other damaged churches.
From 1966 to 2013, the Lutheran Church in Great Britain used St Anne’s. In June 2013 St Anne’s Lutheran Church moved to share St Mary-at-Hill. The building now known as the Gresham Centre houses Voces Cantabiles Music. This is an educational project of the vocal ensemble Voces8.
St Anne and St Agnes has hosted some famous parishioners. Poet John Milton worshipped here. John Bunyan author of Pilgrim’s Progress was a parishioner. John Wesley the founder of Methodism preached here twice in 1738. St Anne and St Agnes is a Grade I listed building. Its walls echo with centuries of history faith and artistic vision. The church remains a symbol of enduring spirit.