Located on the forecourt of the Guildhall, London’s medieval town hall, St Lawrence is the guild church of the Corporation of London and the official place of worship for the city government. The church was first mentioned in 1135 (though it probably dates to Saxon times).
It was given by Hugo de Wickenbroke to Balliol College, Oxford, in 1294. After the Great Fire it was rebuilt by Wren in 1671–77. It was gutted during an air raid on 29 December 1940, and then restored by Cecil Brown in 1957.
The term ‘Jewry’ in the name indicates that St Lawrence’s is in the area once known as the Jewish quarter of London. The street called ‘Old Jewry’, the heart of the ancient ghetto, is just a short way east on Gresham Street. The Jews were expelled from London in 1290 by Edward I, but by then the association had been established.
As the east end of this church is the approach to Guildhall, Wren gave it a more ornate than usual facade, with Corinthian columns supporting a pediment. The tower and steeple (post-war reproduction) are on the west end facing down Gresham Street, and in the triangle created by the front of the church and the side of Guildhall library there is an attractive pond and fountain. The dignified and spacious interior is designed for large audiences, and there are pews for the Lord Mayor and other city officials. Modern stained glass by Christopher Webb depicts individuals associated in some way with the church, including Sir Thomas More who lived in this parish. The piano was once the property of Sir Thomas Beecham.