religious
, 1450
8 Hart Street, EC3R 7NB
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A Great Fire Survivor, damaged in the blitz, the post war restoration of this fascinating building began 75 years ago this year. Described by John Betjeman as a 'country church in the world of Seething Lane' the building uniquely blends medieval fabric with Festival of Britain era motifs. Explore the medieval crypt, 'Pepys' vestry, church tower and ringing room. Bellringing demonstrations.
Aldgate, Tower Gateway, Tower Hill
Fenchurch Street
100, 15, 25, 343, 42, 78
The church is a medieval building with no level access. Access to the crypt is via steps and a low door.
Guided tours of church and crypt, self-guided tour resources, bell ringing demonstrations (selected dates), tower tours (selected dates)
Founded in 1050 on the site of the Battle of London Bridge and dedicated to a Viking warrior who became King and then Patron Saint of Norway associated with healing miracles, St Olave Hart Street is a Great Fire survivor, miraculously restored after the blitz, the only City Church to incorporate Festival of Britain era motifs alongside medieval fabric. The story of this, now the Square Mile’s smallest church, is entwined with London’s mercantile and maritime past. Some jest that the whole world has passed through this tiny parish. Samuel Pepys, buried beneath the altar, called it his “own church”; the poet John Betjeman described it as, “a country church in the world of Seething Lane.” City and countryside. Warrior and healer. Like our own lives, the story of this place is layered rather than clear cut. A place where apparent opposites are held in holy tension. Join us across the Open House Festival to explore St Olave Hart Street as we mark seventy five years since the post-war restoration of the building began.
Explore the fifteenth century church, our 'Pepys' vestry which survived the blitz and our medieval crypt chapel with fourteenth century vaulting. Enjoy our churchyard, the burial place of 'the Father of English Botany.' On Saturday 19th September we open our belltower for timed tours and bellringing demonstrations by the University of London Society of Change Ringers.
