St Andrew Undershaft


St Andrew Undershaft

The church that survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz.

Location: St Mary Axe, EC3A 8BN

Description: St Andrew Undershaft, dating from 1147, survived both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz.

The Grade I listed building had one of London largest stained-glass windows, installed in the 17th century, but sadly destroyed in the bombing of the Baltic Exchange in 1992.

The church's curious name depicts the shaft of the annual maypole traditionally set up opposite the church. The custom continued until 1517 when student riots put an end to it. The maypole itself survived until 1547 when it was seized by a mob and destroyed for being a pagan idol.

John Stow, author of the Survey of London, was buried here in 1605 - his monument features a quill pen that is renewed periodically.

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St Andrew Undershaft

The church that survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz.

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