St Mary-le-Bow
Address: 54 Bow Lane, London, Greater London, England, EC4M 9DJ
Website: St Mary-le-Bow

It is said that to be a Cockney then you must be born within the sound of Bow Bells. The Bow Bells are the bells of this church.

Archeological investigations show that a church has been on this site since the Middle Ages. In Norman times a stone church stood here and was destroyed by a tornado, a really freak weather occurrence for the UK, in 1091.

It was rebuilt and destroyed again by the Great Fire of London. It was such an important church at the time that after St Paul’s Cathedral it was the first church to be rebuilt after the fire and was designed by the great architect Christopher Wren.

The church was then partially destroyed again during the Second World War only to be rebuilt once more.

The crypt is the original crypt dating back to the Middle Ages.

It is said to be the original centre of London Town.

It is a place of tranquility and peace in the heart of busy the busy London streets. It is open daily and all are welcome for no charge to enter in. There is a café in the crypt.

Paul Conneally
28th October 2019

Photograph: Paul Conneally