St Mary Magdalen’s Church

Who would have thought a simple street name could hold so much history? Here at St Mary Magdalen’s Church, nestled on Milk Street, named after London’s medieval milk market, layers of history are just waiting to be uncovered. St Mary Magdalen’s stood proudly on the east side of this bustling street for centuries. Its story began in the 12th century, a testament to the enduring spirit of London. The first documented mention of “St. Mary Magdalene in foro Londoniarum” dates back to 1162. Later, between 1203 and 1215, it became officially known as “St. Mary Magdalene, Milk Street.” John Stow’s 1603 ‘Survey’ paints a picture of a small, recently repaired church surrounded by “many fair houses for wealthy merchants.” Further renovations took place in 1619 and 1630, enhancing its charm. St Mary Magdalen’s wasn’t just a place of worship. It became a hub of Presbyterianism in the tumultuous years leading up to the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. In 1643, Thomas Case, a clergyman at St Mary Magdalen’s, initiated “Morning Exercises.” These were special prayer services dedicated to the Parliamentarian soldiers. The church continued its Presbyterian traditions even after the Great Fire of 1666 ravaged London and led to the church’s unfortunate demise. The parish was then merged with St Lawrence Jewry. The site of St Mary Magdalen’s and the neighboring All Hallows Honey Lane were transformed into Honey Lane Market. Later, in 1835, part of this historic ground became the home of the City of London School. Sadly, the Blitz of 1940 further erased the physical remnants of this once-vibrant area. Though the building is gone, the legacy of St Mary Magdalen’s lives on. Sir Thomas More, the famous Lord Chancellor executed by Henry VIII, was likely baptized here. Francis Fletcher, a priest at St Mary Magdalen’s, even joined Francis Drake on his epic circumnavigation of the globe. The church records, as confirmed by Hughes, contain a veritable who’s who of London dignitaries, from Lord Mayors to influential merchants. Each name whispers a tale of ambition, power, and the ever-changing tides of fortune. So, as you stand here on Milk Street, imagine the echoes of prayers, the murmur of market-goers, and the silent stories held within the very stones beneath your feet. St Mary Magdalen’s may be gone, but its spirit, woven into the fabric of London’s history, remains.