St Lawrence Jewry, London

St Lawrence Jewry is a Baroque church standing next to the Guildhall with four Corinthian columns supporting a pediment and sunken panels decorated with wreaths. The interior displays classical proportions and ornamental details characteristic of the period when it was rebuilt.

The original medieval building was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and later rebuilt by Christopher Wren between 1670 and 1677 in English Baroque style. This reconstruction was part of Wren's ambitious program to rebuild the city after the disaster.

The church serves as the official religious venue for the Corporation of London and hosts ceremonies for the Lord Mayor. It remains a central place for the city's formal celebrations and administrative gatherings.

The church is open to visitors from Monday through Friday during daytime hours and is conveniently located next to the Guildhall in the heart of the City. Holy Communion services are held on Mondays and Thursdays, offering additional opportunities to experience the space.

The church's baptism register made of vellum survived the 1940 Blitz by shrinking rather than burning in the intense heat. This unusual phenomenon preserved this valuable historical record through the bombing campaign.

Location: City of London

Inception: 1670

Architects: Christopher Wren

Architectural style: English Baroque

Address: St Lawrence Jewry, Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AA

Website: http://stlawrencejewry.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.51520,-0.09250

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:48