St Mary-le-Bow

St Mary-le-Bow has played an important role in the history and cultural life of the City of London for over one thousand years. A church has stood on this site since Saxon times and the medieval church built around 1080 was badly damaged during the 1091 London Tornado, which also destroyed the (then wooden) London Bridge. The church was rebuilt in 1196 and stood for almost 500 years before being burnt in the 1666 Great Fire of London and was rebuilt again by Christopher Wren before being destroyed once again during the Blitz in 1941. The church was rebuilt again and reconsecrated in 1964 and continues to be an important part of the City.

St Mary-le-Bow is best known as the home of the Bow Bells, possibly the world’s most famous church bells. Traditionally, a true Cockney must be born within earshot of the sound of Bow Bells. This church’s bells also feature in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons and in the story of Dick Whittington and His Cat. The famous Bow Bells are rung every 15 minutes.

A visit to St Mary-le-Bow makes a nice contrast to the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral, which was also rebuilt by Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.

What to see at St Mary-le-Bow

Although the church dates from well over a thousand years ago, it has been rebuilt several times during the past millennium and now incorporates architectural features from several important historical periods.

The crypt features arches dating from the Norman period. There is a lovely cafe in the crypt where you grab a coffee while taking in the atmosphere of the old building.

The church is also noted for its stained glass windows, which were designed by John Hayward when the church was restored in 1964.

The church is most famous for its Bow Bells, which sound every 15 minutes. The bells also toll before daily services and the Angelus is run each morning and evening. There is a ringing schedule that details times the bells peal.

Visiting St Mary-le-Bow

St Mary-le-Bow is on Cheapside in the City of London between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England. It is equidistant to Bank, Mansion House and St Paul’s tube stations, which are all around a five-minute walk from the church.

As this is a City church, the congregation is drawn from people working in the financial district and it is closed on weekends.

Nearby attractions include the Bank of England Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral, Guildhall, Guildhall Art Gallery, the City of London Police Museum and the Monument to the Great Fire of London.