St Mary-le-Bow

THE PLACE & THE MUSIC

A place to pause.

St Mary-le-Bow was founded around 1080 as the London headquarters of the archbishops of Canterbury. Fragments of the Norman undercroft survive beneath the present church; its arches may explain the name ‘le-Bow’. The church also became the home of the Court of Arches, linking the site with centuries of ecclesiastical law.

The medieval church was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and rebuilt by Christopher Wren. Wartime bombing brought further destruction in 1941, followed by reconstruction and re-consecration in 1964. Bow Bells became part of London’s identity: tradition defines a Cockney by birth within their sound. Recitals today take place within this repeatedly rebuilt landmark on Cheapside.

No upcoming free date has yet been verified for Hour Classics.

Piano and organ