Post-World War II excavations have established what was long suspected about this famous church just off Fleet Street: it occupies the site of Roman buildings and of a very early Christian church, perhaps the first in London. Seven church-building foundations of different sizes and ages have been identified, as well as numerous other objects dating from Roman times to the nineteenth century.
The latest building prior to the Great Fire was built in the fifteenth century, but aside from the undercroft nothing remains of this structure. It was rebuilt by Wren in 1670–75 except for the tower and spire, which were added in 1701–3. It was gutted by incendiaries in December 1940 and restored in 1957.
St Bride’s is one of London’s most celebrated churches, both because of its appearance and in its association with famous people and events. The most prominent physical feature is the 226-foot-high steeple of Portland stone, made up of four stages of diminishing octagons with open arches and pilasters. This steeple was struck by lightning three times in the early eighteenth century, and in 1764 George III consulted with Dr Benjamin Franklin regarding the best type of lightning rod. Later in this century a pastry cook nearby named William Rich invented the wedding cake modelled after St Bride’s steeple. The twelve bells of St Bride’s were known for their pealing.
The burnt-out inside has been restored to resemble the original, and it contains much that is representative of the best craftsmanship of the second Elizabethan Age. One of the most notable features is the oak reredos, which is a memorial to the Pilgrim Fathers. Near the font is a memorial to Virginia Dare, the first English child to be born in America, whose parents were of this parish. In addition, an altar commemorates Edward Winslow (1595–1655), who was a member of this parish. Winslow became governor of Plymouth Colony and made several trips back to England in the interest of the colonies. On one of these he was imprisoned for four months by Archbishop Laud on the charge of having taught in the church as a layman. He was the author of The Glorious Progress of the Gospel among the Indians in New England and was instrumental in organizing the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England.
Other famous figures of Christian history associated with St Bride’s include Wynken de Worde, who brought Caxton’s press from Westminster to St Bride’s in 1500, John Taylor who became vicar in 1543 and was later burnt at Smithfield under Bloody Mary, Samuel Pepys who was christened here, and John Milton, Izaac Walton and Samuel Johnson, all of whom lived nearby. In the crypt there is a museum exhibiting many of the finds made during the excavation. These include a tessellated pavement and walls from Roman times, part of a Saxon font, medieval carvings, and various samples of medieval glass left from the Great Fire. St Bride’s is sometimes called the ‘Cathedral of Fleet Street’ and has close ties with the world of journalism.