St Mary le Strand, Westminster

St Mary le Strand is a Church of England church at the eastern end of the Strand, in the City of Westminster, central London. A baroque landmark with a distinctive steeple, it sits between Somerset House and Bush House and is one of the most recognisable churches on this stretch of the city.

Where is St Mary le Strand?

The church stands at the eastern end of the Strand, north of Somerset House, home to King's College London's Strand campus, and south of Bush House. Until 2021 it stood on a traffic island surrounded by roads. Changes to the traffic layout have made its surroundings far friendlier to people on foot and the church easier to approach. It lies within the Deanery of Westminster in the Diocese of London.

Why was it built in the early 1700s?

The foundation was part of an extensive programme of new church building in London in the early eighteenth century. It was the first of the fifty new churches raised under a commission set up in 1710, partly to honour Queen Anne, and the cost is usually put at about 16,000 pounds. The design went to James Gibbs, a Scottish architect who trained in Rome and worked mainly in England. This was his first major commission after returning from Italy. The building shows Roman baroque influences, and parts of it echo St Paul's Cathedral.

What makes the design unusual?

A column honouring Queen Anne had originally been planned nearby. Gibbs was instructed to use the stone prepared for it to build a steeple instead, which changed the plan of the whole church. The steeple was completed in September 1717, but the church was not consecrated until 1 January 1723. Inside, a white and gold plastered ceiling takes its inspiration from Roman churches. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the site had been home to a large maypole used for May Day festivities, which by the early 1700s had badly decayed.

Was the church ever under threat?

Yes. In the later nineteenth century the London County Council proposed demolishing it to widen the Strand. A campaign that included the artist Walter Crane saved the building, although the churchyard was removed. Today it is a Grade I listed building, the highest category in the English heritage system. The church also appears in the film Chariots of Fire.

The church of the Women's Royal Naval Service

St Mary le Strand is the official church of the Women's Royal Naval Service, the women's branch of the British navy. It holds a book of remembrance for members who died in service. It is also known as one of the two "Island Churches", the other being nearby St Clement Danes.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a working church? Yes, it is a Church of England church in the Diocese of London.

Is it worth going inside? Yes, especially for the baroque interior with its white and gold ceiling and the story of James Gibbs.

How do I find it? Look for it at the eastern end of the Strand, north of Somerset House and south of Bush House.

What are the opening hours? Hours and access arrangements can change, so check the church's official website before visiting.

Is the building protected? Yes, it is Grade I listed.