Looking back at early documents, the church is referred to with a variety of names, including St Mary du Hull, St Mary atte Hulle and Sanctae Maria apud Montem. The dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary in London is by far the most popular, reflecting the importance of the Virgin as a cult figure in early mediaeval times. The earliest recorded Rector was St. Thomas a Beckett in the 12th Century. The church has been given many titles over the years including, ‘The fish Church’ since the Fish Harvest Festival is held here every October and also the ‘Young Musician’s Church’.
St. Mary-at-Hill, as we know it today, has survived the Blitz, two major fires and the draconianism of the Victorians. The church is clearly scarred by its past but retains beauty, warmth and an infinite endearing charm. The Great Fire of London 1666 started in Pudding Lane, a stone’s throw away from St Mary-at-Hill. It consumed the interior of the church leaving only the walls and the brick work of the tower. These remains were later incorporated into an innovative design by Sir Christopher Wren. The new St. Mary-at-Hill was completed in 1677 at the cost of £3,980 and is an example of the fundamental change that took place in church design. Sir John Betjeman said of the church;- “This is the least spoiled and the most gorgeous interior in the City, all the more exciting by being hidden away among cobbled alleys, paved passages, brick walls, overhung by plane trees…”
The next disaster to hit St. Mary’s was during the night of the 10th May, 1988 when a fire broke out on the roof. This once again devastated the interior and although St. Mary-at-Hill ‘rose again’, the reredos, pulpit, box pews and organ sustained considerable damage. Three of the former remain in pieces in the tower awaiting their revival whereas the organ has been restored to full grandeur.
St. Mary-at-Hill boasts what has been described as one of the ten most important organs in the history of British organ building. Built by William Hill in 1848 it is the largest surviving example of his early work. Small changes were made to it in 1880 and in 1971. The organ was silenced by the disastrous fire of 1988 and was then restored by Mander Organs. It was re-dedicated in November 2002 by the Duke of Gloucester at a special service for which Sir David Willcocks directed the choir. The musical traditions of the church are long and distinguished. In the early 16th Century a famous choir of priests, lay clerks and boys (who included Tallis and Mundy), sang elaborate daily services.
For a full specification of the organ visit www.mander-organs.com/portfolio/st-maryathill.html
St. Mary-at-Hill, as we know it today, has survived the Blitz, two major fires and the draconianism of the Victorians. The church is clearly scarred by its past but retains beauty, warmth and an infinite endearing charm. The Great Fire of London 1666 started in Pudding Lane, a stone’s throw away from St Mary-at-Hill. It consumed the interior of the church leaving only the walls and the brick work of the tower. These remains were later incorporated into an innovative design by Sir Christopher Wren. The new St. Mary-at-Hill was completed in 1677 at the cost of £3,980 and is an example of the fundamental change that took place in church design. Sir John Betjeman said of the church;- “This is the least spoiled and the most gorgeous interior in the City, all the more exciting by being hidden away among cobbled alleys, paved passages, brick walls, overhung by plane trees…”
The next disaster to hit St. Mary’s was during the night of the 10th May, 1988 when a fire broke out on the roof. This once again devastated the interior and although St. Mary-at-Hill ‘rose again’, the reredos, pulpit, box pews and organ sustained considerable damage. Three of the former remain in pieces in the tower awaiting their revival whereas the organ has been restored to full grandeur.
St. Mary-at-Hill boasts what has been described as one of the ten most important organs in the history of British organ building. Built by William Hill in 1848 it is the largest surviving example of his early work. Small changes were made to it in 1880 and in 1971. The organ was silenced by the disastrous fire of 1988 and was then restored by Mander Organs. It was re-dedicated in November 2002 by the Duke of Gloucester at a special service for which Sir David Willcocks directed the choir. The musical traditions of the church are long and distinguished. In the early 16th Century a famous choir of priests, lay clerks and boys (who included Tallis and Mundy), sang elaborate daily services.
For a full specification of the organ visit www.mander-organs.com/portfolio/st-maryathill.html