The Guild Church of St Mary Aldermary
Rebuilt 1679-82 by Wren's Office after the Great Fire. The interior is enriched with splendid plaster fan vaulted ceilings. the plan of the church follows its mediaeval outline.
Site: St Mary Aldermary (3 memorials)
EC4, Queen Victoria Street, St Mary Aldermary
The Guild Church plaque is on the east face of the church. The St Antholin plaque is on the south face, with the railings plaque on the boundary wall immediately in front.
The name St Mary Aldermary is a corruption of St Mary Elder Mary, meaning either, that, of the two St Mary’s on Bow Lane (the other being St Mary le Bow) this is the older one, or that this is the oldest City church dedicated to the Virgin Mary (or which there are at least 7, on a quick browse).
The medieval church was rebuilt 1510 – 1632; severely damaged by the 1666 Great Fire; rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. Shown on Horwood's (lower left of centre).
In 1874 when the nearby St Antholin church was demolished to make way for Queen Victoria Street that parish joined this one. The church was damaged in WW2 and repaired.
In 1952 its role was changed from a parish church to that of a guild church, intended to serve commuters and non-resident workers within the City of London. This might explain why there is a useful and unexpected cafe inside the church.
Careful not to confuse St Mary Aldermary with St Mary Aldermanbury.
Sources: , .
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