Have you ever wondered how the tiered wedding cake came about? Look no further than the distinctive spire of St Brides just off Fleet Street. An 18th century baker William rich used the three tired spire as inspiration in a range of wedding cakes and it has became the standard ever since. However there is so much more to this delightful little church which I often visit to get away from it all.
Saint Bride's has a long and interesting history. Named after Saint Bridget, a 5th century Irish saint who turned well water into beer (a nice party trick me thinks and always a welcome guest) there has been at least been seven church buildings on the site since Saxon times. Being on Fleet Street it is known as the Journalist's church and it is associated with a number of literary figures such as Boswell, Dryden, Lovelace, the diarist Evelyn and good old Samuel Pepys who was christened in old Saint Brides. Saint Brides is a survivor. The present church dates from the 1670s and is one of 24 renaming Wren churches built after the Great Fire of London.
Unfortunately Saint Brides was damaged considerably by incendiary bombs in the second world war leaving just a wall and the steeple in tact. Luckily it was sympathetically restored by Godfrey Allen after the Second World Wart back o its former glory.
Its pretty easy to find Saint Brides. Just look for the wonderful steeple which at 225 feet is one of the highest of Wren's amazing churches. It is located on the eastern end of Fleet Street near where it joins with Ludgate Hill. Its easy to get to a number of buses including the 15, 11, 25 and 4 run past it. Blackfriars is the nearest tube station (Circe and District) but it is currently closed for renovations. Saint Paul's on the Central Line is only a ten minute walk a the most.
Go down a little alley leading off Fleet Street an you enter the churchyard. Its a nice grassy are with benches, which would be ideal for a quiet lunch away form the office and the hustle and bustle of London. The outer church building looks quite plain but most of Wren's churches were but inside it is rather beautiful. I love the large arched clear glass windows typical of a Wren church along with the oval windows streaming in light. The dark woodwork contrasts with the plain white walls nicely. Look up at the beautiful barrel vaulted ceiling with the gilded decoration. I like the font with its ornate cover. Unfortunately there are not that many memorials to look at compared to some of the other churches. The main body of the church has an air of peace and tranquility and is a great place to sit and think and reflect. It is a world away from the noise of Saint Paul's just five minutes don the road which often just does not feel like a church.
What makes Saint Brides special is the little museum in the crypt. Descending the stairs there are maps, drawings and photographs of Saint Brides and the surrounding area through the centuries. To your left on entering the crypt is a faded brown regency dress. This is Elizabeth Rich's wedding dress. Unfortunately the label about it is quite old, faded and difficult to read. From there om you can trace the development of the church through the ages due to various building debris, gravestones, and other archaeological remains including an old coffin. There's a lovely little chapel in the crypt which is used daily for services and the Sunday School (I'd be frightened as a child to have my Sunday school lessons in a crypt) . In the main body of the crypt there are interpretation boards showing the extent of the church through the ages and telling its story combined with the history of printing due to its proximity to Fleet Street. Its an interesting little exhibition and a good way to while away 20 minutes or so.
Saint Brides is still very much a working church with communion serves every lunchtime and two services on a Sunday plus various musical events.
All the staff I have came across hen visitation Saint Brides have been very helpful and welcoming. The church is open seven days a week and t is free to enter but I would recommend you leave a pound or so donation so that Saint Brides can remain open for visitors and worshipers alike.
I' would recommend popping into Saint Brides if you have visited Saint Paul's cathedral and want to see one of Wren's other masterpieces or if you have half an hour spare and just happen to be wandering down Fleet street. Combine it with a pint in ye Old Cheshire cheese further down the road. You will not regret visiting this little slice of ecclesiastical history
http://www.stbrides.com
Pictures of St Bride's Church
St Bride's Church interior
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While I resent being charged to enter a 'house of god' - I'd agree that it's incumbent upon those of us who visit primarily to look at the architecture to voluntarily contribute to the upkeep. Not one that I know, but sounds worth a popping into. Lx
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