This church is a landmark on Upper Thames Street just south (that is, on the river side) of St Paul’s Cathedral. In early days when the Thames was like the main street of London, Paul’s Wharf nearby served as a boat landing for St Paul’s Cathedral and the surrounding area. A church on this site was noted in the year 1111. The present building was built by Wren in 1677–85.
It has suffered very few changes, the worst being a fire in 1971 that damaged the organ and galleries, and it is said to be one of the best preserved of Wren’s original creations. Since 1879 St Benet’s has been the Metropolitan Welsh Church, and services are conducted in the Welsh language. Inigo Jones, the architect who introduced the Renaissance style to London (and a Welshman), is buried here. Normally not open except for services, the building is a pleasant sight, its tower with white shutters and contrasting dark brick and white stone surmounted by a weathervane rising cheerfully above the heavy traffic of Thames Street.