IMPRINT Church London: St Mary Woolnoth

A Monument to Architectural Defiance

St Mary Woolnoth stands as one of London's most visually arresting churches, its bold English Baroque façade commanding attention on the corner of Lombard Street and King William Street. Designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, Sir Christopher Wren's protégé, the church was constructed between 1716 and 1727 as part of the ambitious Commission for Building Fifty New Churches. What makes this church particularly remarkable is Hawksmoor's distinctive architectural statement: two imposing flat-topped turrets supported by Corinthian columns dominate the west façade, creating a silhouette so unusual that first-time visitors often question whether they are looking at a church at all. The recessed panels bearing inset forward-curving pediments resting on skewed columns add further complexity to the design, making it arguably Hawksmoor's most original and experimental work. The church was reopened for worship on Easter Day 1727, having taken eleven years to complete.

Centuries of Survival and Transformation

The history of worship on this site stretches back at least to 1191, when the church was first recorded as Wilnotmaricherche. Roman remains discovered during Hawksmoor's reconstruction suggest the location may have held sacred significance for two millennia. The Norman church that stood here survived until 1445, when it was rebuilt with a spire added in 1485. The Great Fire of London in 1666 severely damaged the medieval structure, and Sir Christopher Wren undertook repairs, but the patched building proved structurally unsafe. Rather than continue with piecemeal restoration, the decision was made to demolish and rebuild entirely. Remarkably, St Mary Woolnoth survived the Blitz of World War II unscathed, emerging from the twentieth century's devastation intact when so many of London's churches were destroyed.

The Underground Station Beneath the Sanctuary

One of the church's most extraordinary stories involves the City & South London Railway's construction of Bank Underground station between 1897 and 1900. The railway company initially sought permission to demolish the church entirely to facilitate construction, but public outcry and heritage concerns forced a compromise. Instead of demolition, the company was permitted to use only the subsoil beneath the church, creating the station within the crypt itself. This engineering feat was described at the time as wonderfully executed, with the station formed at four feet above ground level using the church's crypt as its foundation. The arrangement required the removal of human remains from the crypt, including those of John Newton, the renowned abolitionist and hymnist, whose bones were relocated to Olney. Today, visitors can still see the old Underground entrance on the south façade of the church, and a Starbucks occupies what was once the booking hall.

John Newton and the Abolitionist Movement

From 1780 until his death in 1807, John Newton served as rector of St Mary Woolnoth, transforming the church into a centre of the abolitionist movement. Newton's personal journey from slave trader to passionate opponent of slavery gave his advocacy extraordinary moral weight. He published "Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade," a powerful pamphlet detailing his regrets about his former role and his condemnation of the trade. At St Mary Woolnoth, Newton worked closely with William Wilberforce, the leading figure in the campaign to abolish slavery, and the church became a gathering place for those committed to ending the trade. Newton is best remembered as the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace," which he composed while reflecting on his spiritual transformation. His memorial within the church bears the epitaph he wrote himself, describing himself as "once an infidel and libertine." The Brooke Slave Ship Diagram, a crucial visual document in the abolitionist cause, was printed on the same street as the church, underscoring St Mary Woolnoth's role in one of history's most important moral movements.

Contemporary Life and Community

In 2019, IMPRINT was invited by the Bishop of London and the Diocese to become the parish congregation of St Mary Woolnoth, alongside St Edmund the King and St Clement Eastcheap. This contemporary community brings new vitality to the historic space while honouring its spiritual legacy. The church remains a Grade I listed building, recognized for its architectural and historical significance. Its position in the heart of the City of London's financial district creates an interesting juxtaposition: a space dedicated to spiritual reflection and social justice stands amid the modern machinery of commerce. The church's café and contemporary worship offerings reflect how historic sacred spaces continue to evolve and serve their communities.