St Andrew Undershaft Church

Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait More
Apr 26th, 2023

Apr 17th, 2023

Sadly closed when I visited on a Tuesday afternoon.
Apr 13th, 2023

Wonderful to see this historic church maintained and put to excellent use by Nearby St Helens Bishopgate. Thrilled to see the original furnishings such as the Baptismal Font and the Pulpit. The iconic Gherkin makes a nice backdrop
Oct 13th, 2022

St Andrew Undershaft Church is a Grade I listed building & is in St Helen's Parish. It is likely one the most photographed churches in London, as most people contrast between the new and old buildings. The Church is the 3rd one built in 1532. The 1st was built circa 1147 to one source where other records claim it was built in 1220. A 2nd Church was built in the 14th century. The initial two Church's had a larger footprint and extended under Fitzwilliam House at 10 St Mary's Axe. It is of tudor style and restored back in the 1800's. Most of the building fabric is original. The upper tower is of portland stone which differs from the remaining stone walls. The tower has six bells. Two support buttresses perhaps not intentionally serve to guide its congregation towards its main entrance. A 2nd entrance exists on the opposite side. It has ornate surrounds of sandstone to windows & both entrance doors. The craftsmanship of stone detailing over the west entrance is splendid. A unusual blue circular clock exists within a diamond shaped perimeter. It has castellated parapet walls. Internally, stone columns & fluted arches exists. A square patterned timber ceiling exists where as the timber floor may have been replaced in the past. A beautiful organ dates back to 1696. It had one of London's few surviving large stained-glass windows from the great fire in 1666 & World War ll bombing blitz. In 1992 the stained glass window was destroyed from an explosion. A couple of London's past Lord Mayors, famous painter Hans Holbien and historian & author John Stow are buried here. In 1598-1603 John wrote "A Survey of London" based on properties. A monument of John exists within the church. John was well read & appears to be self-thought and truthful. His home was raided by authorities a couple of times due to idle gossip & reports lodged by locals. Authorities found rumours were false. John's later commissioned work was requested by the King James I. John never lived long enough to enjoy the benefits of this project and died in 1605.John advises St Mary's Axe name was derived from "the signe of an Axe," over / against the east end of the church.A document duringKing Henry VIII reigndescribes "An axe, one of the two that was used on eleven thousand Virgins which were beheaded with." This act was carried out in Cologne around / after 21st Oct 383 AD which is Saint Ursula's feast day. St Ursula (a former Princess) & her friend were returning back to Britain from a pilgrimage to Rome with 11000 hand maids. A Hundish Chief & his party of men did not take rejection when none of the maids or Urusla would marry him. Ursula was killed by an arrow to the throat. The mass grave was uncovered in Cologne in 1155. St Andrews Church used to be opened frequently decades ago when curiosity got the better of me to pay a visit. It is opened now for limited periods for workshops arranged by nearby St Helens Church. It is worth a visit if you can book into a workshop reading arranged at St Helen's Church.
Sep 28th, 2022