St Anne's Limehouse

St Anne's Limehouse is an Anglican parish church in Limehouse designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor in the English Baroque style. The building features a distinctive stepped tower and large windows throughout that flood the interior with natural light.

The church was completed in 1730 as one of twelve new churches built under Queen Anne's 1711 Act of Parliament, funded through taxes on coal shipped on the Thames. This building program reflected the growing importance of the Limehouse riverside area.

The interior displays a battle ensign from HMS Ark Royal, maintaining strong connections with the Royal Navy through its rector's honorary chaplaincy role. This naval heritage remains visible in how the space is used and remembered by visitors today.

The church is best reached by Docklands Light Railway to Westferry station, a short walk away on Commercial Road. The location is easy to navigate and well-positioned for visitors exploring the waterfront area.

The church tower features London's highest clock and a golden ball at its peak, which once served as navigation markers for Thames river traffic. These distinctive features made the building easily recognizable to sailors and remain striking when viewed from the water.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Location: London

Inception: 1712

Architects: Nicholas Hawksmoor

Architectural style: English Baroque

Address: Limehouse Parish Church St Anne, Limehouse, Tower Hamlets, London, E14

Website: http://london.anglican.org/ChurchShow_0714

GPS coordinates: 51.51169,-0.03029

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54