St Dunstan-in-the-West

Did a mythical king really walk these very streets? Look around you, here at St Dunstan-in-the-West! Above the entrance, you’ll see a statue of Queen Elizabeth I. But look closer! Below, in the porch, are three intriguing figures. They might be King Lud, the mythical king of Britain who is said to have founded London, and his two sons. These statues once graced the old Ludgate, the westernmost gate to the City, demolished in 1760. St Dunstan-in-the-West has stood on Fleet Street since around the year 1000. The current octagonal structure, built in the 1830s, replaced its medieval predecessor. The church is dedicated to Dunstan, a fascinating figure who rose from humble beginnings to become Bishop of London, and later, Archbishop of Canterbury. St Dunstan-in-the-West narrowly escaped the Great Fire of 1666. Legend says, the quick-thinking Dean of Westminster sent forty scholars to douse the flames. Inside, you’ll find a relic of a darker time – the communion rail, carved by the renowned Grinling Gibbons. It’s said to have witnessed the sermons of John Donne, the poet who served as vicar here. St Dunstan-in-the-West is more than just a beautiful building. It’s a vessel carrying centuries of history, of myth and legend, of faith and fire. As you leave, take a moment to appreciate the stories etched into its very stones. You never know what whispers of the past might follow you home.