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 St
Bride's, named after St Bridget (Bride) of Kildare, is the
eighth church to stand on this site.
As a place of worship it may
date back as far as the 6th century but the present church
was rebuilt after the Great Fire by Sir Christopher Wren in
1671 - 78 and was his second most costly church after St Mary-le-bow.
The layered spire rises 226
feet and was added in 1701. Originally 8 feet higher
but the top was lost in a thunder storm in 1764. Its
four octagonal arcades of diminishing size, topped by a short
finial spire, inspired the modern wedding cake, as after it
was added a local baker, William Rich, modelled his wedding
cakes on the spire. Other bakers followed suit and the spire
has been known as the 'wedding-cake steeple' ever since.
But It is only a coincidence that the church is called St
Bride's!
Following bomb damage during
World War II, St Bride's was restored by W Godfrey Allen in
1955 - 57.
The new Classical interior is
different from a normal Wren church. The nave, with
collegiate style seating, focuses on a postwar Classical reredos
created in the Wren style, with pairs of Corinthian columns
supporting a pediment and features an oval stained glass panel
by Glyn Jones, depicting Christ in glory.
Jones painted the east end of
the church to create the illusion of an apse. At
the west end of the church, two large figures of St Bride
and St Paul by David McFall stand on top of screens at the
entrance to the nave.
Features include the coat of
arms of Queen Elizabeth II, and a font with a post-war cover
based on the architect's first design for the spire.
The bomb damage of 1940 revealed
the ancient remains at St Bride's and before the church was
rebuilt the ruins were excavated by Professor W F Grimes.
Remains dating back to a pre-Conquest building were discovered,
and now the relics are displayed in the museum in the crypt,
along with remnants of the earlier churches on the site.
The museum also details the history of the parish.
St Bride's has long been associated
with the printing and newspaper publishing businesses.
It was here that Wynkyn de Worde set up the first printing
press in the City. St Bride's position, just off Fleet
Street, has made it the traditional venue for memorials
to departed journalists. Although the printing presses
have now gone it is still known as the 'Cathedral of Fleet
Street' or the parish church of 'the street of ink'.
Inside, wall plaques commemorate Fleet Street journalists
and printers. The museum in the crypt also details St
Bride's long association with the printing and newspaper publishing
businesses.
St Bride's frequently holds lunchtime
concerts. Performers are usually professional musicians
or senior students, with organists performing on Wednesdays.
Admission free
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St Paul's