St Ann’s Church

Amidst the vibrant energy of Soho stands St Ann’s Church, a testament to resilience and community. St Ann’s Church has a captivating story to tell. It begins in 1686 when Bishop Henry Compton consecrated this very ground. The church, designed by William Talman, a colleague of Sir Christopher Wren, served as the parish church for St Anne Within the Liberty of Westminster. St Ann’s Church quickly gained recognition for its exceptional music. Dr. William Croft, the director of music, composed the beloved hymn tune “St Anne” in 1708, forever linking the church to the timeless hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”. The original tower, however, met its fate in 1803. Deemed unsafe, it was replaced by the current tower we see today. This tower houses a clock, still wound by hand, a charming reminder of a bygone era. The Blitz of 1940 brought devastation, leaving only the tower and the historic “Allen Room” standing. The church lay in ruins, a poignant symbol of the war’s impact. But the story of St Ann’s Church doesn’t end there. The local community rallied, determined to rebuild their beloved church. By selling a portion of the land for social housing and commercial properties, funds were raised for a new community hall and a modest yet beautiful chapel. In 1991, St Ann’s Church was reborn. The ashes of Dorothy L. Sayers, renowned author and churchwarden during the church’s rebuilding period, rest at the base of the tower. The church’s literary connections are strong, a legacy of the St Anne’s Society, of which Sayers was a key member. St Ann’s Church continues to serve its diverse community, embracing inclusivity and social engagement. From its walls emerged Centrepoint, a charity for homeless youth, founded by a clergyman named Ken Leech. Even the Soho Parish School, initially established by church members in 1699, maintains ties to St Ann’s. Adjacent to the church lies St Ann’s Gardens, formerly the churchyard. Leased to the City Council in 1894, after its closure due to overcrowding and a rather unscrupulous sexton, the gardens hold an estimated 60,000 souls, including essayist William Hazlitt.