Did you know that this magnificent building the Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry stands on hallowed ground? Right here before you is a church with a history spanning centuries. It wasn’t always this grand Baroque structure. The original Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry was built in the twelfth century. It was dedicated to Saint Lawrence a deacon of Rome. His martyrdom is depicted on the church’s weather vane a gridiron. The original church stood near London’s medieval Jewish ghetto. That area was centred on Old Jewry street.
The Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry’s unusual alignment hints at a surprising secret. It may have been built on the site of the London Roman Amphitheatre. Imagine the echoes of Roman gladiators mingling with the hymns of centuries of worshippers. The amphitheatre’s remains were rediscovered in 1988. They are now visible beneath the Guildhall Art Gallery. The Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry has deep ties to Balliol College Oxford. From 1280 the college held the advowson the right to nominate the church’s vicar.
The Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry wasn’t immune to the ravages of time and war. The medieval church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was rebuilt between 1670 and 1677 by the renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren. This rebuilding was a costly endeavor. It’s considered one of Wren’s most expensive City churches. Wren’s design is a testament to his architectural genius. The church has a grand east front. Four Corinthian columns support a pediment against a high attic. The interior is equally impressive. It boasts a north aisle divided from the nave by Corinthian columns. The ceiling is adorned with sunken panels wreaths and branches.
The Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry even survived the Blitz. Extensive damage occurred on 29 December 1940. After the war the City of London Corporation undertook a painstaking restoration. The architect Cecil Brown returned it to Wren’s original design. The Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry reopened in 1957. Today it functions as a guild church. This means it doesn’t have a parish and doesn’t have to hold Sunday services. Sir John Betjeman described this church as very municipal very splendid. It received Grade I listed building status in 1950. The Guild Church of Saint Lawrence Jewry continues to serve as the official church of the Lord Mayor of London. This remarkable structure is a living testament to resilience faith and the enduring spirit of London.