I am particularly keen to cover this church because it conveys a tangible atmosphere to me every time I go in. I feel nothing cold about it, which can be a problem in our 17th and 18th century churches. It is of course a Wren church. Despite blitz damage in the last war it has survived well with many 17th century fitments.It also is no museum and shows ample signs of use, love and worship. There is Mass said here and so the tradition of High Church still rules. I must go sometime : probably "higher" than I'm used to as a Roman Catholic! There is also a notable organ in its case over the door (the right place - none of this moving it to the chancel nonsense) dating from 1712. It is said to have the first swell box.
Wren may have got inspiration for the design from the Jesuit church in Antwerp. I remember that building fondly from a Belgian trip many years ago.
The original church on this site dated from the 11th century. The dedication was to St Magnus, the Earl of Orkney who was martyred 1116 and canonised 1135. Anyone who has seen the magnificent cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney will know all about him! However the church is older than him and the real dedication might have been to a 3rd century Bishop of Caesarea.
Perhaps more important was its situation at the northern end of the old London Bridge - for centuries the only bridge over the Thames in London. Hence it will have been well known and likely well used. Then the Great Fire started in very nearby Pudding Lane in 1666 and the old church was destroyed.
Christopher Wren designed the replacement and it was rebuilt 1671-84 with the tower completed with its lantern and spirelet by 1705. This tower may perhaps be your first memory of St Magnus as it is large and memorable. It has been called "a monumental pepperpot".On closer inspection the octagonal temple section is reminiscent of my beloved Boston "Stump" but with a cupola and turret added on top. The projecting clock from 1709 is one of the few surviving originals, donated by Mayor Charles Duncombe. It is said that as a young man he got a thorough telling off for being late one morning coming from south of the river.
The building as designed by Wren has been altered : particularly the last arcade of the nave around the tower was removed so that a passage could be made for pedestrians using London Bridge after the houses upon it were demolished in 1760. Then in 1823-31 the new London Bridge was built much further down the river and the connection between St Magnus and the bridge declined.
The interior has an "inexplicable splendour of Ionian white and gold" according to TS Eliot, who clearly oved the church. The central reredos is one of the finest in the City. Note the Protestant emphasis on the Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments and the Creed but also the rood above and 6 candlesticks added by Martin Travers in 1924/5. The communion rails date from 1683. The pulpit is 17th century and the font with cover was given in 1683. There is the oldest sword rest in the city dating from 1708. The west gallery is also splendid with two staircases.
By now I expect you have got the picture : this is onbe of my favourite London churches and you should take a look!
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