St Mary Staining

St Mary Staining was a medieval church that stood at the corner of Oat Lane and Staining Lane in the City of London. The site now functions as a public garden surrounded by modern office buildings, with preserved gravestones arranged along the northern wall.

The church was first recorded in 1189 as Ecclesia de Staningehage and was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. After the fire, it was never rebuilt, and the land eventually became a public space.

The name likely comes from the painter-stainers guild members who worked in this neighborhood, or from an old word meaning stone that describes how it was built.

The grounds are freely accessible as a public garden cared for by the City of London Corporation. It serves as a quiet spot to pause and view the preserved gravestones while surrounded by busy office areas.

A nearby modern office building was designed with a semi-circular shape to avoid disturbing an ancient tree growing in the garden. This unusual architectural choice reflects how historic elements are protected during contemporary construction.

Location: City of London

GPS coordinates: 51.51670,-0.09500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:00