The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

30. St Katharine Cree was built to keep the riff raff out of the nearby Priory. It pre-dates the Great Fire of London. Every year a sermon is preached from here entitled 'In the Lion's Den'. And most movingly, it is the church where people who have a connection to the sinking of the Lancastria (1940) remember this tragedy. All of this, and more, is shared in this podcast - the 30th in the series.    

Thanks to Judy Stephenson from Friends of the City Churches and Brian Grumbridge, the church's historian, Roger Round and Martin Coops whose relatives died and survived (respectively) the sinking of the Lancastria.

City of London Churches - St Katharine Cree

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

31. This is said to be the most perfectly proportioned building in the world. It is also where Samaritans began its life and where you can sing to your hearts content every week.  Step inside and hear about this and more from Fiona Lukas and Tony Tucker, and Tom and Elizabeth from the Community choir. Thank you to you all.

City of London Churches - St Stephen Wallbrook

The London Undone 'City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and may churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

32. City Temple:  In the City but not "of the city". This is a a non-conformist church with a polycultural congregation and behind the Victorian facade is a post-war building full of surprises. Want to know more?
With thanks to Rev Rodney Woods for sharing its history and curiosities.

City of London Churches - City Temple

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 

33. St Mary-at-Hill - home of the Fish Harvest Festival. Tucked in between two atmospheric, cobbled  alleys up from old Billingsgate market is another church with peculiar and diverse associations including trombone playing vicars and plague pits.  Hear here from the fishmongers who help raise money at the annual harvest festival of the sea. Learn about what it was like before the old fish market closed. Hold your noses!    
With thanks to Fiona Lukas, church watcher for the Friends of the City Churches, Bill Halley and Thomas Wicker - from Billingsgate - past and present.

City of London Churches - St Mary-at-Hill

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

34. St Olave Hart Street has been described by John Betjeman, once poet laureate, as a 'country church' but was described by Charles Dickens in one of his essays a century earlier as 'the church of ghastly grim'. It was also the local church for the great diarist Samuel Pepys's. Curious? Hear about these and its other connections in this podcast.   
With thanks to Reverend Arani Sen

City of London Churches - St Olave Hart Street

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

35. This is the only Roman Catholic church in the square mile and it's easily mistaken for a shop! But do take a walk through its oft open doors for some peace and tranquility and tune in to this podcast where Fr Chris Vipers shares its history, features and a sense of its spirituality.

City of London Churches - St Mary Moorfields

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

36.Woof! The only church in the city of London to deliver an animal blessing service. Hear from the pets and their owners about this annual event. Also hear from Rector Fr. David Armstrong about the rebellious nature of this liberal church, its tennis court and its link to the notorious Bedlam 'hospital'!  With great thanks.

City of London Churches - St Botolph without Bishopsgate

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

37. This is the only church in the East of England dedicated to St Bridget and there is much to learn about it... layers and layers of London's history... of stones... of unusual treasures... of people:  From the Roman pavements in the depths of the crypt to the top of the 'wedding cake' Christopher Wren spire you will be astounded by what The Reverend Canon Dr Alison Joyce has to say about her much loved church... and if you listen... you may feel like this is 'London's' church too. 

With great thanks to Rev Alison for her enthusiastic and comprehensive contribution.

City of London Churches - St Bride's

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

38. Oddly Christopher Wren's largest parish church (now a guild church) is well hidden below Holborn Circus.  But don't miss out on St Andrew Holborn which has recently been refurbished and brought back to its former splendour.  Connected to the church are Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, children's champion Thomas Coram and novelist Charles Dickens.  But most magically of all,  the fresh underground water from one of the three wells in the crypt of the church is pumped up to the font. With great thanks to Nick Hills for enlightening us.

City of London Churches - St Andrew Holborn

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

39. Rector George Bush explains once and for all that the bells of St Mary-le-Bow were indeed the Bow bells! More than this, this church has the most extraordinary stained glass windows, has a 9ft dragon as a weather vane, and has always been connected to the Archbishop of Canterbury. For foodies, the very first City church cafe/ restaurant still operates in the old Norman crypt. There’s a lot more to St Mary-le-Bow than its Christopher Wren (or Robert Hooke) walls. Press ‘play'!

City of London Churches - St Mary le Bow

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

40. St Mary Abchurch demonstrates yet another of Christopher Wren's methods of creating a large domed roof. It also contains superb wood carving by Grinling Gibbons.  Hear about the many details contained within its unassuming brick walls as a few myths about the church are dispelled along the way.

With thanks to Signe Hoffos from The Friends of the City Churches.

City of London Churches - St Mary Abchurch

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

41. All that remains of St Bartholomew the Great is still indeed great. Some of the spectacular features of this 900 year old half-church are its Norman architecture, its delightful memorial to the Whitings family, a golden Damien Hirst sculpture of St Bartholomew and... its hot cross bun ceremony. Oh - did I mention some classic films were filmed on location here too. Kevin Larder brings this and its long history to life in this episode.. and more! Many thanks to the wonderfully enthusiastic Kevin who is a guide at St Barts Hospital Museum.

City of London Churches - St Bartholomew the Great

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

42. St Margaret Lothbury's name is curious... and so are its features. It contains a hoard of ecclesiastical items taken from other (now gone) City of London Churches including an unusual candy-cane wooden screen, a giant tester board, some impressive memorials and gigantic paintings. These varied and 'unoriginal' features mean the church is a joy to enter. Signe Hoffos who contributes so expertly to this podcast also shares some of the dramas that have taken place here over the years including the struggle to keep their neighbours, the Bank of England, at bay.

City of London Churches - St Margaret Lothbury

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

43. St Helen's Bishopsgate. From the weird bollard outside the church to the unusually elaborate doorway that leads out of it, St Helen's is full of curiosities and features I've not yet encountered while producing this series. Here you will find nun's squints, raised floors, sunken fonts and the oldest sword rest in the City.  More than this, here are two churches rolled into one. This is a fascinating church. Kevin Larder enlightens us all... thank you Kevin!

City of London Churches - St Helen's Bishopsgate

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

44.Ok, it's not a City church (it's a stone's throw from the boundary) BUT it's worth a podcast.  It's hidden: set back from the quiet cul de sac behind the diamond district of Hatton Garden, St Etheldreda's Catholic church is a gem of its own; a medieval survivor and a spiritual survivor that happens to boast some magnificent stained glass windows too. Most importantly its story reflects a bigger national story.  Press play!

With thanks to marvellous contributors Anthony Weaver from the church and Alexandra Epps from Art in the City.

City of London Churches - St Etheldreda

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

45. Hidden within the walls of the ancient St Barts Hospital is the church of St Bartholomew the Less... part medieval, part Georgian and part Victorian... this church is a welcome place of contemplation for the patients of and visitors to the hospital. It also has an unusual shape and some stained glass of note.  It's a short podcast but not a lesser one! 

With thanks to Kevin Larder and Alexandra Epps from Art in the City.

City of London Churches - St Bartholomew the Less

New Spitalfields Market - Wholesalers vs. Supermarkets

When we think about the Royal Air Force we think about aeroplanes in the skies... think again!  Deep underground the plotters and controllers of the Royal Air Force managed air operations during the Second World War.  Let's go down and meet WAAF plotter Helen who worked here during the war.

Battle of Britain Bunker, Uxbridge

This podcast is no 'windmill of your mind'... it's the Windmill Theatre... brought back to life by Iris Chapple, a former singer, and Margaret Cooper, a former dancer at the theatre. They explain who worked here, what sort of work they did, and why it was one of the most unique theatrical sites in central London until 1964.

The Windmill Theatre

Welcome to Postman's Park where you can see a very unusual memorial.  Commemorated here are three distillers from Three Mills.  59 other ordinary people who've done extra-ordinary things are also remembered in the park.
Five fellow City of London Guides share some details from this surprisingly upbeat and peaceful place in the heart of the busy financial district...

Postman's Park

City of London Churches - An Introduction

The London Undone 'City of London Churches' podcast series: 
A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. 
Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
2. This week we head to St Mary Woolnoth:  austere on the outside, cosy on the inside. This is the only church in the City of London that is the work of Nicholas Hawksmoor.
With thanks to Melina Herman from the Cosy Coffee Corner and Tony Tucker from Friends of City Churches and the author of The Visitors Guide to City of London Churches.

City of London Churches - St Mary Woolnoth

The London Undone 'City of London Churches' podcast series: 
A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. 
Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
3. Listen to the sounds and the special ceremonies at St Magnus the Martyr.  Find out why the congregation takes its prayers to London Bridge.  With thanks to Brian Evans from the Friends of the City Churches, Fr Philip Warner, Alex Rayner and Tyler Hills from the church.

City of London Churches - St Magnus the Martyr

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: 
A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. 
Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

5. Another Christopher Wren church, St Margaret Pattens today is dwarfed by the tall buildings around it. Nevertheless its tall lead spire still pricks the City skyline and retains its elegance. Hear about its association with the death of Charles I, King and Martyr… and some submariners. Thanks to Church Watcher, Becky Banfield and Christopher Moore from the church.

City of London Churches - St Margaret Pattens

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: 
A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. 
Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
6. Alongside a busy City road stands a ruined Christopher Wren church  with plants growing inside it.  Listen and you'll find that this is a church with a new and different mission.
With thanks to Marion Blair from Friends of City Gardens and Tony Tucker from Friends of City Churches

City of London Churches - Christchurch Greyfriars

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
10. Q: What do a Scottish saint, Shakespeare, the Indian Orthodox Church and a King's wardrobe all have in common?
A: St Andrew by the Wardrobe.
This is another Christopher Wren church. Approached from the north it is hard to find through alleyways but from the south it looks like a castle on a hill.
Thanks to Fr Abraham Thomas from the Indian Orthodox Church and Judy Stephenson from the Friends of City Churches.

City of London Churches - St Andrew by the Wardrobe

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
19. Just outside the eastern gate of the City of London, the welcoming church of St Botolph without Aldgate hides London's oldest organ.  Hear it played and enjoy its Georgian surroundings. 
Thanks to Church watcher Becky Banfield, Rev Laura Jørgensen and Director of Music, Shanna Hart.

City of London Churches - St Botolph without Aldgate

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
20. Prominently placed on Guildhall Yard, this grand church has strong links with the City of London Corporation and the livery companies. Step inside for ceremonies, symbols and sensational stained glass windows. Thanks to Alexandra Epps from Art in the City, Tony Tucker from Friends of the City Churches and Canon David Parrott from the church.

City of London Churches - St Lawrence Jewry

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
21. Start your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela here, but before you leave don't forget to listen to the church's famous bells and look for the mummified corpse hiding in the tower.
Thanks to Bell Ringer Dickon Love, Church Watcher Susan Konowich and Rev Tim Handley.

City of London Churches - St James Garlickhythe

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.
28. In the middle of the brutalist Barbican stands the medieval church of St Giles Cripplegate with some prominent and some touchingly simple memorials to many famous men, and one intriguing woman.

City of London Churches - St Giles Cripplegate

City of London, City of Westminster Tour guide and Blue Badge Guide, London journalist. Sharing stories about London's lesser known sites. 
Nearing the end of the ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series. This has been a journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. 
Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.

London Undone

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