Consider the flaming urns atop the tower. They are not mere decoration. They tell a story of destruction and resilience. Welcome to St Edmund, King and Martyr. It is an Anglican church in Lombard Street. This church is dedicated to St Edmund the Martyr.
St Edmund’s history stretches back centuries. Records first mention it in 1292 as Saint Edmund towards Garcherche. By 1348, it was known as Saint Edmund in Lombardestrete. John Stow referred to it as St Edmund Grass Church in 1598.
The Great Fire of 1666 ravaged London. It destroyed the medieval St Edmund church. Afterward, the parish merged with St Nicholas Acons. That church was also destroyed and not rebuilt. Sir Christopher Wren designed the present St Edmund church. Construction took place from 1670 to 1679. The flaming urns on the tower commemorate the Great Fire. They are a constant reminder of London’s past.
The tower’s design has sparked debate. George Godwin thought it more Chinese than Italian. James Peller Malcolm found it handsome but hard to describe. The church’s orientation is also unusual. The altar faces north instead of east. Joseph Addison, the essayist, married here in 1716.
In 1868, riots erupted outside St Edmund’s. Rev. J. L. Lyne, known as Father Ignatius, gave sermons. He spoke disparagingly of Lombard Street traders. This stirred public anger. The church underwent restoration in 1864 and 1880.
World War I brought further trials. In 1917, a German bomb struck St Edmund’s. It destroyed the roof’s main beam. The church closed for repairs. It reopened on October 1, 1919. Some bomb fragments are kept inside. Incendiary bombs caused more damage during the Blitz in 1941.
St Edmund, King and Martyr achieved Grade I listed status on January 4, 1950. This recognizes its architectural and historical importance.
Several notable figures have served as rectors. Thomas Lyndford was chaplain to George I. Jeremiah Milles became president of the Society of Antiquaries. After World War I, Studdert Kennedy took charge of St Edmund’s. He later joined the Industrial Christian Fellowship.
Today, St Edmund forms part of a combined parish. It includes St Mary Woolnoth and other churches. It is part of the Church of England’s Diocese of London. The Bishop of Islington’s office is here.
Consider St Edmund’s resilience. It survived fire, riots, and bombs. It stands as a testament to London’s enduring spirit. The flaming urns are not just ornaments. They are symbols of hope. They remind us that even from ashes, new life can emerge.