London Undone

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.45. Hidden within the walls of the ancient St Barts Hospital is the church of St Bartholomew the Less... part medieval, part Georgian and part Victorian... this church is a welcome place of contemplation for the patients of and visitors to the hospital. It also has an unusual shape and some stained glass of note. It's a short podcast but not a lesser one!With thanks to Kevin Larder and Alexandra Epps from Art in the City.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.44. Ok, it's not a City church (it's a stone's throw from the boundary) BUT it's worth a podcast. It's hidden: set back from the quiet cul de sac behind the diamond district of Hatton Garden, St Etheldreda's Catholic church is a gem of its own; a medieval survivor and a spiritual survivor that happens to boast some magnificent stained glass windows too. Most importantly its story reflects a bigger national story. Press play!With thanks to marvellous contributors Anthony Weaver from the church and Alexandra Epps from Art in the City.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.43. St Helen's Bishopsgate. From the weird bollard outside the church to the unusually elaborate doorway that leads out of it, St Helen's is full of curiosities and features I've not yet encountered while producing this series. Here you will find nun's squints, raised floors, sunken fonts and the oldest sword rest in the City. More than this, here are two churches rolled into one. This is a fascinating church. Kevin Larder enlightens us all... thank you Kevin!

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.42. St Margaret Lothbury's name is curious… and so are its features. It contains a hoard of ecclesiastical items taken from other (now gone) City of London Churches including an unusual candy-cane wooden screen, a giant tester board, some impressive memorials and gigantic paintings. These varied and ‘unoriginal' features mean the church is a joy to enter. Signe Hoffos who contributes so expertly to this podcast also shares some of the dramas that have taken place here over the years including the struggle to keep their neighbours, the Bank of England, at bay.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.41. All that remains of St Bartholomew the Great is still indeed great. Some of the spectacular features of this 900 year old half-church are its Norman architecture, its delightful memorial to the Whitings family, a golden Damien Hirst sculpture of St Bartholomew and... its hot cross bun ceremony. Oh - did I mention some classic films were filmed on location here too. Kevin Larder brings this and its long history to life in this episode.. and more! Many thanks to the wonderfully enthusiastic Kevin who is a guide at St Barts Hospital Museum.  

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.40. St Mary Abchurch demonstrates yet another of Christopher Wren's methods of creating a large domed roof. It also contains superb wood carving by Grinling Gibbons. Hear about the many details contained within its unassuming brick walls as a few myths about the church are dispelled along the way.With thanks to Signe Hoffos from The Friends of the City Churches

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.39. Hear Rector George Bush explain once and for all that the bells of St Mary-le-Bow were indeed the Bow bells! More than this, this church has the most extraordinary stained glass windows, has a 9ft dragon as a weather vane, and has always been connected to the Archbishop of Canterbury. For foodies, the very first City church cafe/ restaurant still operates in the old Norman crypt. There's a lot more to St Mary-le-Bow than its Christopher Wren (or Robert Hooke) walls. Press ‘play'!

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.38. Oddly Christopher Wren's largest parish church (now a guild church) is well hidden below Holborn Circus. But don't miss out on St Andrew Holborn which has recently been refurbished and brought back to its former splendour. Connected to the church are Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, children's champion Thomas Coram and novelist Charles Dickens. But most magically of all, the fresh underground water from one of the three wells in the crypt of the church is pumped up to the font. With great thanks to Nick Hills for enlightening us.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.37. This is the only church in the East of England dedicated to St Bridget and there is much to learn about it… layers and layers of London's history… of stones… of unusual treasures… of people: From the Roman pavements in the depths of the crypt to the top of the ‘wedding cake' Christopher Wren spire you will be astounded by what The Reverend Canon Dr Alison Joyce has to say about her much loved church… and if you listen… you may feel like this is ‘London's' church too.With great thanks to Rev Alison for her enthusiastic and comprehensive contribution.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.36. Woof! The only church in the city of London to deliver an animal blessing service. Hear from the pets and their owners about this annual event. Also hear from Rector Fr. David Armstrong about the rebellious nature of this liberal church, its tennis court and its link to the notorious Bedlam ‘hospital'! With great thanks.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.35. This is the only Roman Catholic church in the square mile and it's easily mistaken for a shop! But do take a walk through its oft open doors for some peace and tranquility and tune in to this podcast where Fr Chris Vipers shares its history, features and a sense of its spirituality.

34. St Olave Hart Street has been described by John Betjeman, once poet laureate, as a ‘country church' but was also described by Charles Dickens in one of his essays a century earlier as ‘the church of ghastly grim'. It was also the local church for the great diarist Samuel Pepys's. Curious? Hear about these and its other connections in this podcast. With thanks to Reverend Arani Sen.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.33. St Mary-at-Hill – home of the Fish Harvest Festival. Tucked in between two atmospheric, cobbled alleys up from old Billingsgate market is another church with peculiar and diverse associations including trombone playing vicars and plague pits. Hear here from the fishmongers who help raise money at the annual harvest festival of the sea. Learn about what it was like before the old fish market closed. Hold your noses! With thanks to Fiona Lukas, church watcher for the Friends of the City Churches, Bill Halley and Thomas Wicker – from Billingsgate – past and present.

The London Undone 'City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and may churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.32. City Temple: In the City but not "of the city". This is a a non-conformist church with a polycultural congregation and behind the Victorian facade is a post-war building full of surprises. Want to know more?With thanks to Rev Rodney Woods for sharing its history and curiosities.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.31. This is said to be the most perfectly proportioned building in the world. It is also where Samaritans began its life and where you can sing to your hearts content every week.  Step inside and hear about this and more from Fiona Lukas and Tony Tucker, and Tom and Elizabeth from the Community choir. Thank you to you all.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today.30. St Katharine Cree was built to keep the riff raff out of the nearby Priory. It pre-dates the Great Fire of London. Every year a sermon is preached from here entitled 'In the Lion's Den'. And most movingly, it is the church where people who have a connection to the sinking of the Lancastria (1940) remember this tragedy. All of this, and more, is shared in this podcast - the 30th in the series.        Thanks to Judy Stephenson from Friends of the City Churches and Brian Grumbridge, the church's historian, Roger Round and Martin Coops whose relatives died and survived (respectively) the sinking of the Lancastria. 

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 29. You may challenge my inclusion of this private, floating, chapel in the City of London Churches series… but I think its story is worth hearing. And it is, after all, within the boundaries of the City, hiding in plain sight. Listen to Commissioner Dawn Heatwole share some unusual stories about the Salvation Army and its founder William and Catherine Booth in this episode. Thanks to Salvation Army IHQ - who also provided the photograph.

Behind a very plain door of an ordinary terraced house on a main road in South West London you’ll find the incredible craftsmanship, vision and atmosphere as created by the Kenyan civil servant Mr Asalache. Pass through the door to hear more… or just listen to this. Thanks to the National Trust and Rachel Pearson.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 28. In the middle of the brutalist Barbican stands the medieval church of St Giles Cripplegate with some prominent and some touchingly simple memorials to many famous men, and one intriguing woman. With thanks to Tony Tucker from the Friends of the City Churches and Katharine Rumens, the Rector at St Giles Cripplegate.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 27. The smallest and least obvious of all City of London churches, St Clement Eastcheap is the church that features in the nursery rhyme ‘Oranges and Lemons’. Today it’s an office! Thanks to Tony Tucker from the Friends of the City Churches.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 26. Fish, coffee and smudgy windows all appear in this beautifully restored Christopher Wren church which is also very well attended by the young city workforce.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 25. No other City of London church is as surprising as this one. Its bleak and foreboding exterior betrays its crisp classical and bright interior. Thanks to Friends of City Churches, and author Tony Tucker

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 24. This church will delight you with its fabulous combination of music and death! And who was St Sepulchre? Thanks to Jill Finch, Alexandra Epps and the Halcyon Quartet www.halcyon-quartet.com

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 23. St Mary Aldermary is one of the few 17th century gothic churches you'll find in the City of London. At lunch you'll hear the hum of local workers enjoying their break but at the start and end of the day the relaxed breath of a meditation group. Thanks to Keith Billinghurst from Friends of the City Churches and Rev Paul Kennedy from Moot

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 22. St Vedast Alias Foster has a secret garden containing an ancient Syrian rock familiar to Agatha Christie, a Roman pavement and a memorial to a Russian soldier who is described thus: “This was a man”. With thanks to Jill Finch and Tony Tucker from Friends of the City Churches.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 21. Start your pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela here, but before you leave don’t forget to listen to the church’s famous bells and look for the mummified corpse hiding in the tower. With thanks to Bell Ringer Dickon Love, Church Watcher Susan Konowich and Rev Tim Handley

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 20. Prominently placed on Guildhall Yard, this grand church has strong links with the City of London Corporation and the livery companies. Step inside for ceremonies, symbols and sensational stained glass windows. Thanks to Alexandra Epps from Art in the City, Tony Tucker from Friends of the City Churches and Canon David Parrott from the church.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 19. Just outside the eastern gate of the City of London, the welcoming church of St Botolph without Aldgate hides London's oldest organ. Hear it played and enjoy its Georgian surroundings. Thanks to Church watcher Becky Banfield, Rev Laura Jørgensen and Director of Music, Shanna Hart.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 18. St Michael Cornhill looks like like all the other 18th century City churches on the outside, but walk inside to find a church full of Victorian gothic details. Thanks to City Guides Alexandra Epps, Jill Finch and Church Watcher Steve Welsh.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 17. By some miracle, St Martin's is one of the most original of Christopher Wren's churches in the City of London and is used today for traditional Anglican services as well as for Chinese gospel singing worshippers. Tune in to hear more about it's bread shelves, pendulum-like chandelier from the West Indies, palindromes and creepy crypt.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 13. The church of St Peter upon Cornhill is hidden in plain sight and it's also one of a few Christopher Wren churches to be left unscarred by the Blitz. Step inside and hear more about its history as well as the mandarin speaking congregants who worship here today.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 16. You have to travel to another continent to find St Mary Aldermanbury, but here you'll find wildlife, horses, birds, swamp cypress trees and a memorial to those who brought us William Shakespeare.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 15. The Dutch Church is one of the most hidden of the City churches and one of the newest... but its history stretches back to the 16th century and its internal features are extraordinary. With thanks to the warm congregation and mister Bertjan van de Lagemaat of the Dutch Church. Also to Judy Guy Briscoe from the Friends of the City Churches.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 14. This tiny medieval church survived the Great Fire and the Blitz but in the 1990s it was very badly damaged by an IRA bomb. Step inside for some peace and reconciliation.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 12. Hidden behind bushes and trees, the red bricks of St Anne & St Agnes can only be glimpsed, but push your way through and you’ll be rewarded by architectural beauty and musical delights. Thanks to Jan Kerilis and Harry Bennet from the VCM charity https://vcm.foundation and church watcher Judy Guy Briscoe from the Friends of the City Churches http://www.london-city-churches.org.uk

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 11. One of three remaining churches dedicated to St Botolph in the City of London, this one may seem plain on the outside but it is full of Georgian surprises inside! Tune in to hear the Scottish style acapella singing by the Presbyterians who use the church every Sunday. With thanks to Brian Evans from the Friends of the City Churches, Iain McDonald and Laura Bol from the London City Presbyterian Church http://www.lcpc.org.uk

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 10. Q: What do a Scottish saint, Shakespeare, the Indian Orthodox Church and a King's wardrobe all have in common? A: St Andrew by the Wardrobe. This is another Christopher Wren church. Approached from the north it is hard to find through alleyways but from the south it looks like a castle on a hill. Thanks to Fr Abraham Thomas from the Indian Orthodox Church and Judy Stephenson from the Friends of City Churches.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 9. Don't overlook this small City of London church with some unusual features, old and new. It's also the home of that rare ecumenical community. With thanks to Julie Dunstan from the London Centre for Spiritual Direction and Tony Tucker from the Friends of the City Churches.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 8. This small cosy church is full of quirky features and unusual associations. Tune in to hear about Shakespeare, graffiti, celebrity weddings, heralds and women playwrights. On top of that, a warm welcome and rousing music awaits you in this Welsh Church from its congregants and its vicar, whether you speak the language or not.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 7. The movement and colours of the magnificent modern windows of this Christopher Wren church are a sight for sore eyes as the scenes they depict slowly emerge the more you look at them. Look closely at another window and you'll see the story of local man Dick Whittington. He was real! With thanks to Alexandra Epps, City of London Art Guide and Steve Welsh, Church Watcher

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 6. Alongside a busy City road stands a ruined Christopher Wren church with plants growing inside it. Listen and you’ll find that this is a church with a new and different mission. With thanks to Marion Blair from Friends of City Gardens and Tony Tucker from Friends of City Churches.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 5. Another Christopher Wren church, St Margaret Pattens today is dwarfed by the tall buildings around it. Nevertheless its tall lead spire still pricks the City skyline and retains its elegance. Hear about its association with the death of Charles I, King and Martyr… and some submariners. Thanks to Church Watcher, Becky Banfield and Christopher Moore from the church.

The London Undone ‘City of London Churches’ podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 4. The tower of St Magnus the Martyr contains 12 bells cast in the now defunct Whitechapel Bell Foundry. In this episode, the unusually named Ancient Society of College Youths tell us about the churches wobbling tower and the skills needed to ring them. With thanks to Henry, Ryan and Swaz from the Society.

The London Undone 'City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 2. This week we head to St Mary Woolnoth: austere on the outside, cosy on the inside. This is the only church in the City of London that is the work of Nicholas Hawksmoor. With thanks to Melina Herman from the Cosy Coffee Corner and Tony Tucker from Friends of City Churches and the author of The Visitors Guide to City of London Churches.

Before we get properly started with this series, here is an episode to give you some context. In this podcast you'll hear about the general history of the City of London churches and some useful background information on this subject which will help you appreciate and understand them a bit more.

The London Undone 'City of London Churches' podcast series: A journey around the magnificent and many churches of the City of London. Learn about their histories, architecture, associations, features and their spiritual lives today. 1. This episode tells the story of All Hallows by the Tower. Is this the oldest church in the City of London? Hear about its many American connections and its strange ceremonies. With thanks to Adey Grummet at All Hallows by the Tower.

Fly back in time to Croydon Airport and the early days of air travel. Find out how those magnificent (wo)men in their flying machines truly did change our lives. Hear about the experience of early flight from the people that are keeping the site alive.

To find out about the extraordinary treasures contained within the new museum at Westminster Abbey, listen here. You may be surprised to learn that the museum is located in a part of the church that hasn't been open to the public before.  The space is as impressive as its contents which include the Liber Regalis and funeral effigies of many Kings and Queens buried inside.  To get to the Diamond Jubilee Galleries you have to climb a brand new tower in The Royal Church and when you get up there, the views are spectacular, inside and out.

When we think about the Royal Air Force we think about aeroplanes in the skies… think again! Deep underground the plotters and controllers of the Royal Air Force managed air operations during the Second World War. Let’s go down and meet WAAF plotter Helen who worked here during the war.

A shelter was built underneath Clapham South tube station during the Second World War to protect civilians from aerial bombardment. What was life like deep underground and what happened to the deep level tunnel after the war?

Buying fruit and vegetables in New Spitalfields Market is like taking a journey around the world...