Hidden amongst the City of London’s towering buildings stands St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall. Its story is one of resilience faith and remarkable survival.
This isn’t just any church. St Lawrence Jewry has stood on this spot since at least the 12th century possibly even earlier around 1136. Its name? A fascinating echo of London’s past. It derives from the Jewish community who lived nearby during the medieval era. These Jewish people arrived after the Norman Conquest. They were later expelled from England by Edward I in 1290. Many streets in the area still carry the name Jewry a testament to their presence.
For centuries St Lawrence Jewry served as the official church of the Corporation of London. This is the city administration. It met just paces away at the Guildhall. The original medieval church underwent restoration in 1618. Sadly it was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. Sir Christopher Wren began building a new church in 1670 completing it seven years later. This became one of Wren’s most expensive churches its richly decorated interior reflecting this cost.
Wren’s design is a marvel. He used white walls to contrast with dark wood screens and furniture. Unlike many structures of its time there are few right angles in its architecture. The church houses a few artifacts rescued from the medieval building. These are carefully displayed for all to see.
Even the Great Fire couldn’t destroy everything. The church register of baptisms survived. It was made from vellum. The heat caused it to shrink rather than burn. Today you can see this strangely shrunk register. St Lawrence Jewry continued as a parish church until the Blitz.
In 1940 the church was badly damaged. Yet it was meticulously rebuilt to Wren’s original plans. The war destroyed Wren’s original bells. However 25 cwt of metal was salvaged. This was recast into a new set of eight bells at the famous Whitechapel Foundry. The windows are in Wren’s style. Artist Christopher Webb created the central figures. He used techniques dating back to the 15th century.
The church’s interior holds a wealth of history. Near the pulpit is a window depicting St Thomas More. He gave lectures here in 1501 on the relationship between government and the Church. Another commemorates William Grocyn More’s tutor and the vicar of St Lawrence from 1496 to 1517. A third window tucked away in the vestibule shows Sir Christopher Wren Grinling Gibbons and Edward Strong. These were his master carver and mason respectively.
Exceptional oak screens grace the interior. The Commonwealth Chapel even features a wrought-iron screen. This was crafted by the Royal Marines. Today St Lawrence Jewry is more than a church. It hosts events ceremonies and concerts. This includes concerts using its magnificent modern organ. The organ was funded by the City Livery Companies. It is considered one of the world’s great organs.
So here you stand before St Lawrence Jewry a building that has endured fires wars and the passage of time. Its story is woven into the very fabric of London’s history. A story of faith resilience and remarkable survival. A truly inspiring sight.