Beneath our feet lie the remnants of St Augustine’s Church. This Anglican church once stood proudly just east of St Paul’s Cathedral. Its story is one of faith resilience and ultimately loss.
St Augustine’s Church was first noted way back in the 12th century. It stood on the north side of Watling Street at the corner of Old Change. Records suggest the church was dedicated to St Augustine of Canterbury. This is according to Richard Newcourt.
Over the centuries St Augustine’s Church saw many changes. In the late 16th century John Stow described St Augustine’s as a fair church. He noted that it had been lately well repaired. Then in 1630 the church was richly beautified at great expense. The parishioners paid £1200 to improve every part of it.
The Great Fire of London in 1666 devastated St Augustine’s Church. The medieval building was destroyed. But from the ashes a new St Augustine’s Church would arise.
After the fire the parish joined with St Faith’s. This congregation had previously worshipped in St Paul’s crypt. Christopher Wren designed the rebuilt St Augustine’s Church. Excavations revealed that reused stones were set in mortar for the foundations. The new church opened in 1683. However the steeple wasn’t finished until 1695.
Inside St Augustine’s Church was shorter than its medieval predecessor. It measured about 51 feet long 45 feet wide and 30 feet high. Corinthian columns supported an arcade that divided the nave from the aisles. The naves and aisles featured barrel vaulted ceilings. Skylights pierced the nave vault. Galleries stood on the north and west sides. The west gallery was later removed when the organ was moved.
St Augustine’s Church had notable rectors. John Douglas later became Bishop of Carlisle and Salisbury. He served as rector from 1764 to 1787. Richard Harris Barham author of the Ingoldsby Legends held the position from 1842 until his death in 1845.
Tragedy struck St Augustine’s Church again in 1941. Bombing during the Second World War destroyed it. The church was not rebuilt. The tower was restored in 1954. It was later incorporated into St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School in 1967.
The tale of Faith the church cat adds a heartwarming chapter. In 1936 Faith a stray cat found her way to St Augustine’s Church. Despite initial rejections she became a beloved member. She attended services and hunted mice. Days before the 1941 bombing Faith moved her kitten Panda to the cellar. After the air raid the rector found Faith guarding Panda amidst the rubble. For her bravery Faith received a silver medal. Her story was reported across four continents when she died in 1948.
Today the remains of St Augustine’s Church are a Grade I listed building. Faith’s memory lives on. She is buried in St Paul’s Choir School churchyard. Her stone marker reads Faith the cat who defied the London Blitz. The story of St Augustine’s Church is a poignant reminder of London’s resilience. It stands as a testament to faith rebuilding and the enduring spirit of its people and even its cat.