List of Christopher Wren churches in London
Churches built in the City of London
88 parish churches were burned during the Great Fire of London in 1666. The office of Christopher Wren rebuilt 51 parish churches and St Paul's Cathedral. Many of these churches were demolished as the population of the City of London declined in the 19th century and more were damaged during the Blitz.
Survived largely as built
Survived but substantially altered before the Blitz
Substantially rebuilt after the Blitz to match original
The Blitz in 1940-1941 damaged nearly all the City of London Wren churches and many were nearly destroyed leaving just the outer walls and tower. However most of them were rebuilt to Wren's original design.
Damaged after World War II and rebuilt
Re-ordered for new use
Tower remaining
These churches have only the tower remaining with perhaps a little outer wall. They are no longer churches.
Moved
Demolished due to the Union of Benefices Act (chronological order)
The population of the City of London declined in the 19th century, and the Union of Benefices Act 1860 reduced the number of parish churches. The surplus churches were demolished.
Demolished for other reasons (chronological order)
Interior refurbished by Christopher Wren
- Temple Church; interior destroyed in The Blitz. During restoration, it was discovered that renovations made by Wren in the 17th century were in storage and they were replaced in their original position.
Churches built in Greater London, but outside the City of London
These churches were outside the area of the Great Fire of London. The first three were badly damaged in the Blitz and rebuilt after.
- St Anne's Church, Soho; built by Wren (or more likely William Talman) as a new church. Partly restored in 1979; the tower was fully restored by 1991 after the Blitz, and a new church centre designed by Westwood Piet Poole & Smart Architects.
- St Clement Danes; derelict in Wren's time, so he rebuilt it. Reconsecrated in 1958 after the Blitz.
- St James's Church, Piccadilly in Westminster; built by Wren as a new church. Rededicated in 1954 after the Blitz.
- Chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, completed in 1687 (Wren designed the rest of the Hospital, as well).
See also
Bibliography
- Betjeman, John (1967 (reprint 1992)), Sovereign City of London Churches, Andover: Pitkin, ISBN 0853725659
- Huelin, G (1996), Vanished Churches of the City of London, London: Guildhall Library Publications, ISBN 0900422424
- Reynolds, H (1922), The Churches of the City of London, London: The Bodley Head Limited
External links