The lantern bell tower and bracketed clock of this octagonal church are familiar landmarks on Fleet Street just across from the Temple. We have placed it in Victorian London, even though it was built slightly before Victoria’s reign (1829–33), because it is not classical in design. However, it is not exactly neo¬gothic either. It is like no other church in London: a credit to the architect, John Shaw, who is commemorated above the south door.
Outside the church may be seen the statue of Queen Elizabeth I, the oldest stone representation of the great queen in existence. It was taken from the old Lud Gate when the walls were removed, as were the figures of King Lud and his two sons. The clock was made in 1671 for the old church and was removed by the marquis of Hertford and installed on his property. It was returned in 1936. Two of the most famous preachers at St Dunstan’s-in-the-West were William Tyndale, the Bible translator, and John Donne, dean of St Paul’s. Their likenesses may be seen on the west and east sides of the entry arch. Finally, note the two giants who strike the bells. Their counterparts may be seen in Venice near the Cathedral of St Mark.
The octagonal interior has seven vaulted recesses, with the chancel and altar in the north bay. The northwest chapel is shut off from the rest of the church by a beautiful eighteenth-century painted screen, and is used by the Romanian Orthodox congregation. Through the screen can be seen a window dedicated to the beloved angler Isaak Walton (see Stuart and Commonwealth London), who held several offices in the church. He is depicted with some of the subjects of his Lives. On the west side is a window commemorating Bishop John Fisher, who was beheaded under Henry VIII. The new north window depicts four famous Saxon and Norman archbishops: St Dunstan, Lanfranc, Anselm and Stephen Langton. The altar and reredos are fine carved work of the seventeenth century, and there are numerous early monuments.
Before its reconstruction, St Dunstan’s-inthe- West was thirty feet closer to the then narrow street, with shops against the east and west walls. The vicinity of the churchyard was a favourite locality of booksellers and publishers, including Thomas Marsh of the ‘Prince’s Arms’ who published Stow’s Chronicles; Richard Marriot, who published John Donne’s Sermons and Isaac Walton’s The Compleat Angler; and Matthias Walker, one of three publishers who gave John Milton five pounds down and a total of twenty pounds for Paradise Lost.