St Mary Le Bow Church |
| Hob Uid: 405421 | |
Location :
Greater London Authority
City and County of the City of London
Non Civil Parish
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| Grid Ref : TQ3238581146 |
| Summary : Parish church rebuilt by Wren, 1670-3, incorporating 11th century crypt. The earliest church was documented in 1091 when the roof was blown off. The Court of the Arches, the principal court of the Archbishop of Canterbury, met in the arched crypt until it moved to Doctors Commons. It was destroyed in the Great Fire and replaced by Wren's church, which is modelled on the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome. Extensively damaged during WWII. Repaired by Lawrence King, 1954-64. Brick built with Portland stone tower and steeple. |
More information : (1) PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY LE BOW stands on the S. side of
Cheapside between Bow Lane and Bow Churchyard. The walls are of red
brick with dressings of Portland stone; the tower and spire are
entirely of stone. The roofs are covered with slates and lead. The
crypt dates from the latter part of the 11th century, being possibly
part of the church mentioned by Stow as having been built in the time
of William the Conqueror. The remainder of the church was destroyed
in the Great Fire of 1666 and was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in
1670-80, at a cost of #8,071 18s. 1d.; the tower was built 1671-83 at
an additional cost of #7,388 8s. 7.75d. Repairs to the tower were
carried out in 1760, when the dragon vane was removed. In 1818-20 a
further restoration of the steeple was carried out by Gwilt, when the
stone columns and other parts of the lantern were replaced by others
of granite, the dragon vane was restored and the crypt was partly
cleared. Other slight alterations to the interior of the church were
made in 1867 and 1878-9.
The crypt is an excellent example of an unusual feature in a parish
church; the steeple is one of the finest of those erected by Wren.
(For further details see Inventory).(1) Grade A.(2)
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