St Mary le Bow
City of London, Greater London
Discover the famous church or Bow Bells and see the majestic architecture of Sir Christopher Wren, an oasis of peace in the midst of the city.
The medieval building was replaced by one in the Gothic style in 1510 but was then destroyed in the Great Fire.
Reconstruction was carried out under the supervision of the Wren office, though there is no evidence that Wren himself had much of a hand in it; the parishioners were much attached to the Gothic style, for which Wren had no enthusiasm. The work was completed in 1682 and is now regarded as one of the two most important 17th century Gothic churches in England.
The fan vaulting is particularly spectacular and makes St Mary's a joy to experience.
Much of the interior furnishings reflect the heavy Victorian refurbishment in 1876, though the stained glass windows date mainly from the early 1950s, replacing the Victorian windows which were shattered by World War II air raids.
