Briar Black / 20 April 2025 / Categories: City, What to see

St Vedast alias Foster City Of London Church

The Little Christopher Wren Church

I am very interested in square mile churches and their historical significance, Christopher Wren churches especially. I grew up with religion, went to a church school, was subjected to the in doctrine, dogma, tradition of blind faith, something I no longer buy into. That said I do love a church for it’s scale and architecture, it’s divine purpose as it were, a sanctuary, a vestibule, narthex, a place connecting the serenity to the outside world, a safe haven a place of peace, tranquility and reflection all those things sit well and are useful to me.

This church is close to an old office so I pass by it all the time the building a reminder for me there’s more to life than money, ironically in the years of London’s markets renewal after the Great Fire of London 1666 it was the merchants worshipful city of london companies, the Goldsmiths, the brewers, the livery, that gave funds and support to maintain the church buildings. restored and rebuilt by the architect Sir Christopher Wren.

I don’t attend services, I have only been inside a few times over the years but it’s magnificent inside. The floor alone is worth a look for anyone inspired by pattern and form. I remember having a terrible meeting in one of the bar cellars opposite and stepping inside the empty church absolutely furious to calm down before going back to the office. It didn’t take long in here to redirect my thoughts.

It’s a gorgeous old building tucked away on Foster Lane, EV2 with loads of history in an unlikely back alley setting, a complete contrast to the magnificence of St Paul’s Cathedral the Christopher Wren masterpiece that draws visitors from all around the world and somewhere you’d probably miss unless someone or something interrupts and informs.

St Vedast is an active Anglican Church celebrating Easter services, Easter Mass on Sunday 20th April, 2025 at 11.00am.