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This gem of a church stands in
a narrow street near the Thames, among old warehouses and
opposite a charity school of about 1700 and the rectory.
The church was rebuilt in 1714
-15 for the local sailors and watermen, by John James on the
site of a medieval church. The tall red-brick tower,
with Corinthian columns and a short spire, was added by Lancelot
Dowbiggin in 1747 - 48.
Inside, the interior is divided
by four tall Ionic columns into three unequal bays, once filled
with box pews. The west gallery houses a celebrated
organ, dated 1764 - 65, by John Byfield the younger.
Joseph Wade's original reredos can be seen at the east end,
whilst a brass in the north aisle commemorates Peter Hills,
died 1614, the founder of the charity school.
The church has many maritime
connections. The communion table in the Lady Chapel
and two bishop's chairs are made from salvaged timber from
the warship 'Temeraire'. The ship's final journey to the breaker's
yard at Deptford was painted by Turner in his evocative painting
'The Fighting Temeraire', now in the National
Gallery.
In the church a memorial marks
the final resting place of Christopher Jones, captain of the
Mayflower, which took the Pilgrim Fathers to North America
in 1620.
Due to vandalism and burglary
the interior of the church can now only be viewed through
glass.
Admission free
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Rotherhithe