“Look up” isn’t just advice here at St Mary Aldermary. It’s an invitation to witness architectural wonder.
Welcome to St Mary Aldermary. It stands as a testament to London’s resilience and artistic spirit. This church has a unique story. It intertwines faith, fire, and masterful reconstruction.
In 1500, London was home to 15 churches dedicated to St Mary. St Mary was the most popular dedication. This high number was because of Mary the Virgin and Mary Magdalene. Even counting only churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it still leads with 13.
The name ‘Aldermary’ may come from ‘Older Mary’. This suggests it was the oldest church in the city dedicated to her.
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt St Mary Aldermary. The rebuilding occurred between 1679 and 1682. Wren chose an uncharacteristically Gothic style. This makes St Mary’s arguably the most important late 17th-century Gothic church in England.
Funding came from a personal estate. It might have reflected the wishes of executors or parishioners.
A quirky feature is the angle of the east wall. It follows the line of a pre-1678 passage. One of the east windows is by Lawrence Lee. It showcases a fusion of sacred and secular themes. St Thomas, St John the Baptist, and Madonna are depicted above. Panels below show the church engulfed in the Great Fire. In the window close-up, Sir Christopher Wren kneels to present his plans.
The west window commemorates London’s defense during the 1939-45 War. It depicts the Risen Christ in Glory. The Hand of God the Father and the Holy Spirit are also present. The lower lights show St Michael overcoming the Dragon. St Peter and St Paul are on either side. A panorama of London sits at the base.
Above the north door, a blocked-off window from 1876 depicts the Transfiguration.
The pulpit is believed to have been carved by Grinling Gibbons in 1682. The organ was built by George England in 1791. The wooden sword rest dates from 1682.
The font was a gift in 1627. A wealthy parishioner called Dutton Seaman provided it. It was designed with Jacobean gusto.
James Braidwood was married in St Mary’s in 1838. He was the first Superintendent of the London Fire Engine Establishment. He formed the world’s first municipal fire brigade in Edinburgh.
René Baudouin was a Huguenot refugee. He established himself as a silk merchant.
St Mary is the regimental church of the Royal Tank Regiment. The nearby church of St Antholin was demolished in 1875. Its parish merged with St Mary’s. The door casing from St Antholin now serves as the west entrance to St Mary’s.
The golden finials at the top of the tower are now made of fibreglass.
St Mary Aldermary stands as a symbol of London’s enduring spirit. It has seen fire, rebuilding, and the passage of centuries. Its unique architecture and rich history offer a glimpse into the city’s past. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of Gothic revival and Baroque influences. Consider the stories etched within these walls.