2. Worshipful Companies of Plumbers and Constructors, Wren 300 City of London Church Walk, 6 July 2023

Masters and Consorts from 34 City Livery companies gathered for breakfast in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral, appropriately in the ‘Wren Suite’.  As the “youngest” there, I found it helpful to meet fellow Masters.  We were welcomed by the Master Plumber who handed over to two City of London Guides for an introduction.  This event was organised by members of the Plumbers Company, appropriately as the company had been responsible for the lead covering of the dome at St Paul’s.

We learnt that 86 parish churches were burned down during the Great Fire of London in 1666. Christopher Wren, the 300th anniversary of whose death is commemorated this year, along with his team, rebuilt 51 parish churches and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Unfortunately, as the population of the City of London declined, in the 19th century many of these churches were demolished.  In the Blitz in 1940–1941 nearly all the churches in the City of London were damaged or destroyed, some with only the outer walls and tower remaining.  Most, however, were rebuilt to Wren’s original design.

We visited a selection of churches, taking in other sights and learning interesting facts about the City.

The proposed dome for St Paul’s was controversial; the dome of St Stephen Walbrook was a trial run, the first ever in this country.  In 1953, the Rector there, Chad Varah, founded the Samaritans; the original telephone is housed within the church.

The windows of St Magnus the Martyr (where we had an excellent lunch) at the end of old London Bridge were partially blocked, due to the proximity of the old Billingsgate fish market, to keep out the noise (= profanities!) and smells.

Our closing tea was at “our” church, All Hallows by the Tower.  The church contains many treasures, including a 15th century Flemish painted wooden altar-piece, an original Saxon arch and a magnificent font cover carved by Grinling Gibbons. Below the church is an undercroft with many Saxon remains, and a roman pavement we can actually walk on.

This was a most interesting day, and many thanks go to our two City guides for the knowledge and expertise.