St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church is the Church of England parish church of Islington, standing on Upper Street beside Islington Green in north London. Its tower and columned portico are a familiar landmark on one of the borough's busiest streets. The building is Grade II listed, a status Historic England granted in 1954.

What is the history of St Mary's Church?

Sources place the first church on this site in the 12th century, though that date is an estimate. A larger medieval building replaced it in the 15th century. That church was in turn demolished between 1751 and 1754 and rebuilt in a classical style to designs by Lancelot Dowbiggin.

A Portland stone portico with Ionic columns was added to the front in 1903-04. Its architect was Reginald Blomfield, a prolific designer of the period.

What survived the Second World War?

The church was badly damaged by bombing during the war. Only the tower and portico survived intact; the rest was rebuilt in 1955-56 to designs by Seely and Paget. From the street the church still reads as an 18th-century building, but the interior is largely post-war.

What is the churchyard like?

The burial ground around the church was enlarged in 1793 and closed to new burials in 1853 once it was full. In 1885 it was laid out as a public garden of about one and a half acres (roughly 0.6 hectares). Today it is a quiet green pocket that contrasts with the restaurants, pubs and theatres of Upper Street.

Can you climb the tower?

Guided tours include a climb of the tower, which has around 120 steps. From the top you can look out across London, from the Alexandra Palace area to Canary Wharf. Because this is a working parish church with its own services and events, it is worth checking tour dates in advance.

How do you get there?

The church is in central Islington, a short walk from Angel and Highbury & Islington stations. Many bus routes pass nearby, and the surrounding streets are easy to explore on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Mary's Church medieval? Not in its current form. The first church here was medieval, but the present building dates from the 18th century and its interior was rebuilt after the war.

Who designed it? Lancelot Dowbiggin designed the 1751-54 church, Reginald Blomfield added the portico, and Seely and Paget led the post-war rebuilding.

Is the garden free to enter? The churchyard operates as a public garden, so you can sit and rest there freely.

Is the church a listed building? Yes, it has been Grade II listed since 1954.

How long does a visit take? About half an hour is enough for the facade and garden; a tower tour takes longer.