St Mary-at-Hill | |
---|---|
Church of St Mary-at-Hill, pictured in 2008
|
|
Country | UK |
Denomination | Church of England |
Previous denomination | Roman Catholic (pre-1536) |
Website | www |
Architecture | |
Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
Architect(s) | Sir Christopher Wren |
Style | Baroque |
Administration | |
Parish | Billingsgate |
Diocese | London |
Clergy | |
Bishop(s) | Rt Rev & Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Bishop of London |
Priest in charge | Rev Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin |
Laity | |
Director of music | Robert Mingay-Smith |
St Mary-at-Hill is an Anglican parish church in the Ward of Billingsgate, City of London. It is situated on Lovat Lane, a cobbled street off Eastcheap. Coordinates: 51°30′36″N 0°05′01″W / 51.510069°N 0.08374°W
It was founded in the 12th century as "St. Mary de Hull" or "St. Mary de la Hulle". It was severely damaged in the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was only partially rebuilt and has been much altered since, although some of its mediaeval fabric survives.
The Church of St Mary-at-Hill is situated among some of the City's most ancient lanes: St Mary at Hill EC3, in which has a large double-faced clock extending several feet into the street and which provides the best view of the church's elegant exterior; a narrow alleyway running alongside, but with no right of way; and, its entrance on Lovat Lane EC3, its postal address.
St Mary-at-Hill dates to 1336. The north aisle was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century, and a south aisle and steeple were added a little later. John Stow, writing at end of the 16th century, described it as "the fair church of Saint Marie, called on the Hill, because of the ascent from Billingsgate".
The Great Fire of 1666 started in the neighbouring street of Pudding Lane severely damaging the church. After the blaze, the parish of St Mary's was united with that of St Andrew Hubbard, whose church was not rebuilt.