London Undone

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.45. Hidden within the walls of the ancient St Barts Hospital is the church of St Bartholomew the Less... part medieval, part Georgian and part Victorian... this church is a welcome place of contemplation for the patients of and visitors to the hospital. It also has an unusual shape and some stained glass of note. It's a short podcast but not a lesser one!With thanks to Kevin Larder and Alexandra Epps from Art in the City.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.44. Ok, it’s not a City church (it’s a stone’s throw from the boundary) BUT it’s worth a podcast. It’s hidden: set back from the quiet cul de sac behind the diamond district of Hatton Garden, St Etheldreda’s Catholic church is a gem of its own; a medieval survivor and a spiritual survivor that happens to boast some magnificent stained glass windows too. Most importantly its story reflects a bigger national story. Press play!With thanks to marvellous contributors Anthony Weaver from the church and Alexandra Epps from Art in the City.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.43. St Helen's Bishopsgate. From the weird bollard outside the church to the unusually elaborate doorway that leads out of it, St Helen's is full of curiosities and features I've not yet encountered while producing this series. Here you will find nun's squints, raised floors, sunken fonts and the oldest sword rest in the City. More than this, here are two churches rolled into one. This is a fascinating church. Kevin Larder enlightens us all... thank you Kevin!

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.42. St Margaret Lothbury’s name is curious… and so are its features. It contains a hoard of ecclesiastical items taken from other (now gone) City of London Churches including an unusual candy-cane wooden screen, a giant tester board, some impressive memorials and gigantic paintings. These varied and ‘unoriginal’ features mean the church is a joy to enter. Signe Hoffos who contributes so expertly to this podcast also shares some of the dramas that have taken place here over the years including the struggle to keep their neighbours, the Bank of England, at bay.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.41. All that remains of St Bartholomew the Great is still indeed great. Some of the spectacular features of this 900 year old half-church are its Norman architecture, its delightful memorial to the Whitings family, a golden Damien Hirst sculpture of St Bartholomew and... its hot cross bun ceremony. Oh - did I mention some classic films were filmed on location here too. Kevin Larder brings this and its long history to life in this episode.. and more! Many thanks to the wonderfully enthusiastic Kevin who is a guide at St Barts Hospital Museum.  

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.40. St Mary Abchurch demonstrates yet another of Christopher Wren's methods of creating a large domed roof. It also contains superb wood carving by Grinling Gibbons. Hear about the many details contained within its unassuming brick walls as a few myths about the church are dispelled along the way.With thanks to Signe Hoffos from The Friends of the City Churches

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.39. Hear Rector George Bush explain once and for all that the bells of St Mary-le-Bow were indeed the Bow bells! More than this, this church has the most extraordinary stained glass windows, has a 9ft dragon as a weather vane, and has always been connected to the Archbishop of Canterbury. For foodies, the very first City church cafe/ restaurant still operates in the old Norman crypt. There’s a lot more to St Mary-le-Bow than its Christopher Wren (or Robert Hooke) walls. Press ‘play'!

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.38. Oddly Christopher Wren's largest parish church (now a guild church) is well hidden below Holborn Circus. But don't miss out on St Andrew Holborn which has recently been refurbished and brought back to its former splendour. Connected to the church are Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, children's champion Thomas Coram and novelist Charles Dickens. But most magically of all, the fresh underground water from one of the three wells in the crypt of the church is pumped up to the font. With great thanks to Nick Hills for enlightening us.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.37. This is the only church in the East of England dedicated to St Bridget and there is much to learn about it… layers and layers of London’s history… of stones… of unusual treasures… of people: From the Roman pavements in the depths of the crypt to the top of the ‘wedding cake’ Christopher Wren spire you will be astounded by what The Reverend Canon Dr Alison Joyce has to say about her much loved church… and if you listen… you may feel like this is ‘London’s’ church too.With great thanks to Rev Alison for her enthusiastic and comprehensive contribution.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.36. Woof! The only church in the city of London to deliver an animal blessing service. Hear from the pets and their owners about this annual event. Also hear from Rector Fr. David Armstrong about the rebellious nature of this liberal church, its tennis court and its link to the notorious Bedlam ‘hospital’! With great thanks.