A high explosive bomb. That’s what greeted St Edmund King and Martyr on 7 July 1917. A direct hit during a daylight air raid. Imagine the devastation.
St Edmund King and Martyr. This unassuming church in Lombard Street. A survivor. Its history stretches back centuries. Much further than its present Baroque facade suggests. Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt it in 1670-1679 after the Great Fire of 1666. Even Wren’s masterpiece bears the scars of time. Fragments of that German bomb remain within its walls. A tangible reminder. A testament to resilience.
Originally recorded in 1292. Then known as ‘Saint Edmund towards Garcherche’. A medieval church. It stood for centuries. Witnessing London’s ebb and flow. Until the Great Fire. It was later united with the parish of St Nicholas Acons which was destroyed and never rebuilt.
This is more than a church. It’s a timeline etched in stone. A silent observer. It hosted Joseph Addison’s wedding in 1716. A remarkable event in the life of this remarkable building. The church has seen riots. The Reverend J L Lyne caused quite a stir in 1868. His sermons disparaged Lombard Street’s traders. The resulting riot spilled onto the church steps.
Restorations followed the fire. More restorations followed the war. Incendiary bombs caused further damage during the 1941 Blitz. Yet St Edmund King and Martyr remains. A beacon of faith.
It’s now a Centre for Spiritual Direction. A place of peace. A space for reflection. Regular worship resumed in 2019 thanks to Imprint Church. This building continues its unique journey. It has always served a greater purpose.
St Edmund King and Martyr. A survivor. A witness. Its stories whispered through the stones. A history that echoes in the very air around us. More than just a building. A living testament to London’s strength and enduring spirit.