“Remember the name St. Swithun,” a whisper seems to echo from the very stones beneath our feet here. St. Swithun’s Catholic Church, though no longer standing in its physical form, holds a compelling story etched in London’s history. We stand near where it once stood, a testament to faith, resilience, and remembrance.
St. Swithun was a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester. The original church dedicated to him was first recorded in the 13th century. Initially known as “St. Swithin in Candlewick Street,” it later became “St. Swithin at London Stone” because of its proximity to the London Stone.
Catrin Glyndwr found her final resting place here. She was the wife of rebel Edmund Mortimer and daughter of Owain Glyndwr, a Welsh leader. Catrin was taken hostage and died in mysterious circumstances.
The church was rebuilt in 1420. It faced destruction in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Sir Christopher Wren rebuilt it in 1678. The parish of St Mary Bothaw was united with St. Swithun’s. The new St. Swithun’s was 61 feet long and 42 feet wide. It had a tower and spire rising from the north-west corner.
London Stone was moved to the church’s side in 1742. It was encased in an alcove within the church’s south wall in the 1820s.
During the Second World War in 1940, St. Swithun’s suffered severe damage in an air raid. Only the pulpit was salvaged. The parish was united with St Stephen Walbrook in 1954. The ruins were demolished in 1961-1962.
Excavations revealed foundations of the 15th-century church. A medieval grave slab was found. It covered the heart-burial of Joanna, wife of Fulke de St Edmond. He was a sheriff of London in 1289-1290.
Today, St Swithun’s Church Garden marks the spot. It offers a peaceful retreat amidst the city’s bustle. The garden features a memorial to Catrin Glyndwr. It is dedicated to women and children who suffer in war. The London Stone is now housed in a protective window.
So, as we stand here, let us remember St. Swithun’s. It is a place of history and reflection. Its story continues to resonate in the heart of London. The garden reminds us of those who came before us. It reminds us of their struggles and triumphs.