St Anne's Limehouse

St Anne's Limehouse is one of the six Queen Anne churches built (1714-30)under the Fifty New Churches Act. It was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and in those days it was in a green firld site in the expanding residential area of the parish of Stepney. The approach from the west showing the west front is noble. (see video below).With no portico the flight of steps leads to a kind of apse, crowned with a dome giving access to the main entrance. Alas I have never gained entrance here or by any other door! It is one of those London churches locked except for services.





Its position on the river and prominent tower has led to connections with the navy and it has become a Trinity House "sea mark" on navigational charts.
There was a very serious fire in 1850 which destrtoyed much of the interior. For example pulpit and font date from after this.There are galleries.There has been major restoration 1983-93 and 2007-9. This included major work on the organ, the altar and floor.The web site is very welcoming and I hope to get in one day!

This video will give you a very realistic idea of what the church looks like from outside. It is a  long lingering walk around the churchyard by a cameraman lurching over the view as though from a nearby boozer! Still it is exactly how I remember the church and he doesn't get inside either!