St. Mary-le-Bow - London, Cheapside, EC2V 6AU (19)
St. Mary-le-Bow
Situated in Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU, St Mary’s occupied the site as far back as Saxon Times. This is through archaeological work done on site.
Unbelievably there was a medieval church also on the site but this was destroyed by the ‘London Tornado’ in 1091. This was one of the most destructive and one of the earliest tornados recorded. However the crypt survived the devastation.
During the Norman reign (1066-1154), probably towards the latter end the church was again rebuilt and renamed St. Mary de Arcubus.
Fate had not finished with the church. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London (1666). Being second in importance to St. Paul’s Cathedral it was one of the first churches to be rebuilt. This was done between 1671 and 1673, under the control of Sir Christopher Wren. The steeple, which was 223ft high and was completed in 1680 by Thomas Cartwright one of London’s leading stone masons.
A stone from the crypt of St Marys was donated to Trinity Church in New York in 1914.
According to tradition a true cockney must be born within the sound of the Bow Bells and it’s the bells of St Mary-le-Bow and not Bow Church itself.
Unfortunately the church again suffered and was largely destroyed in the blitz of 1941. The bells were completed put out of action. New ones were cast in 1956 and were finally installed in 1961.
Inside the church is a memorial to members of the Norwegian Resistance who died during WWII.
The churchyard is noted for having a statue of Captain John Smith, husband of Pocahontas and was leader of the Virginia Colony based in Jamestown.
The stained glass windows dating back to 1961 and were part of the restoration after war damage and were by John Hayward.
This is the first of three postings.
St. Mary-le-Bow - London, Cheapside, EC2V 6AU (19)
St. Mary-le-Bow
Situated in Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU, St Mary’s occupied the site as far back as Saxon Times. This is through archaeological work done on site.
Unbelievably there was a medieval church also on the site but this was destroyed by the ‘London Tornado’ in 1091. This was one of the most destructive and one of the earliest tornados recorded. However the crypt survived the devastation.
During the Norman reign (1066-1154), probably towards the latter end the church was again rebuilt and renamed St. Mary de Arcubus.
Fate had not finished with the church. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London (1666). Being second in importance to St. Paul’s Cathedral it was one of the first churches to be rebuilt. This was done between 1671 and 1673, under the control of Sir Christopher Wren. The steeple, which was 223ft high and was completed in 1680 by Thomas Cartwright one of London’s leading stone masons.
A stone from the crypt of St Marys was donated to Trinity Church in New York in 1914.
According to tradition a true cockney must be born within the sound of the Bow Bells and it’s the bells of St Mary-le-Bow and not Bow Church itself.
Unfortunately the church again suffered and was largely destroyed in the blitz of 1941. The bells were completed put out of action. New ones were cast in 1956 and were finally installed in 1961.
Inside the church is a memorial to members of the Norwegian Resistance who died during WWII.
The churchyard is noted for having a statue of Captain John Smith, husband of Pocahontas and was leader of the Virginia Colony based in Jamestown.
The stained glass windows dating back to 1961 and were part of the restoration after war damage and were by John Hayward.
This is the first of three postings.