Remarkable isn’t it? This solitary tower. It whispers tales of London’s past. Before you stands the Tower of St Mary Somerset. A survivor. A testament to resilience.
The Tower of St Mary Somerset. Its story begins long ago. In the twelfth century records mention its existence. It stood proudly. One among fourteen London churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A vibrant community thrived around it. Flemish and Brabant weavers clashed. In 1370 the Mayor decreed separate meeting places. St Mary Somerset’s churchyard became a gathering point for the Brabant weavers. This small detail paints a vivid picture of life centuries ago.
The Great Fire of 1666 devastated London. St Mary Somerset was among the casualties. Yet from the ashes it rose again. Sir Christopher Wren. Master architect. He oversaw its rebuilding. One of fifty-one churches he resurrected. Construction started in 1686. However the Glorious Revolution caused delays. It finally opened in 1694 at a cost of 6579 pounds. A significant sum for that era.
The parish was impoverished. Wren himself provided funds for furnishings. An act of generosity. He used money from the Coal Tax. This is quite rare. Only two churches benefitted from this. The other being St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe.
Inside its walls a notable figure found his final resting place. Bishop Gilbert Ironside. A champion of Oxford University’s rights. He defied King James II. His remains. Removed in 1867. To Hereford Cathedral.
By the late 1800s the Tower of St Mary Somerset faced a different kind of threat. London’s population shifted. Suburban growth beckoned. The Union of Benefices Act 1860 sealed the church’s fate. Demolition loomed. The last service. February 1 1867. Seventy souls attended.
The church was torn down in 1871. Only the Tower of St Mary Somerset survived. Thanks to architect Ewan Christian’s intervention. A poignant reminder. Of what once was. Its pinnacles. Damaged during the Blitz. Restored in 1956. Today it’s Grade I listed. A survivor. A story etched in stone. The Tower of St Mary Somerset. A powerful symbol. Of London’s enduring spirit.