Plaque

St Mary Somerset - tower

Erection date: 1956

Inscription

This tower of St Mary Somerset built after the Great Fire by Sir Christopher Wren was restored by the Corporation of London AD MCMLVI. {1956}

What was in the air in the fifties that made plaque carvers so inventive with their lettering? The dark section is difficult to read but just on its edge look at the 'OF' and on the light area the 'AFTER' and 'THE'. Always makes us smile.

Site: St Mary Somerset Church (4 memorials)

EC4, Lambeth Hill, St Mary's Somerset Church

The wall plaque, for the tower, is on the south side. The other three are in the paved area around the tower, on three sides. 2013: The north side has been a builders' store area for at least 3 years so we can't see the ground but we don't think there is a fourth plaque there.

A modern information board informs: "This garden covers the site of St Mary's Somerset which may have derived its name in the twelfth century from one Ralph de Somery. In 1666 the church was damaged in the Great Fire of London and then rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1695. In 1869-74 all but the church's 120 foot tower was demolished under the Union of Benefices Act."

As the population of the City reduced fewer churches were found necessary. Under the Union of Benefices Act over 20 churches in the City were demolished to make way for constructions such as railway stations.

We love the riot of finials and pinnacles on the top of the tower.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
St Mary Somerset - tower

Subjects commemorated i

St Mary Somerset church

First recorded in the 12th century. Destroyed in the Great Fire it was rebuil...

Read More

Great Fire of London

Started on a Sunday morning. After 4 days the destruction included: - an area...

Read More

Corporation of the City of London

The municipal governing body of the City of London. Officially the 'Mayor and...

Read More

Sir Christopher Wren

Born East Knoyle, Wiltshire, died London.  Designer of 54 London churches, o...

Read More

This section lists the other memorials at the same location as the memorial on this page:
St Mary Somerset - tower

Also at this site i

St Mary Somerset  - Ewan Christian

St Mary Somerset - Ewan Christian

The dates given on the plaque are about the time that the church ceased funct...

Read More

St Mary Somerset - Weavers

St Mary Somerset - Weavers

Wikipedia explains: "According to John Stow, in 1370, the Brabant weaver comm...

Read More

St Mary Somerset  - Wren

St Mary Somerset - Wren

The church and tower were redesigned and rebuilt under the direction of Sir C...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

George Inn - Historic Southwark

George Inn - Historic Southwark

SE1, Borough High Street, 77, George Inn Yard

In the courtyard at the rear of this building is The George - London's only galleried inn immortalized by Charles Dickens in "Little Dorr...

3 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
JMW Turner - WC2

JMW Turner - WC2

WC2, Maiden Lane, 21

There is a rather strange modern architectural sculpture in this courtyard (you can see the top of it to the left of our picture, behind ...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
William Henry Hudson - W2

William Henry Hudson - W2

W2, Leinster Square, 11

William Henry Hudson, 1841 - 1922, naturalist and ornithologist, early and influential member of the RSPB, novelist and author of 'Green ...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Leila Campbell

Leila Campbell

NW3, Eton Avenue, Hampstead Theatre

We captured the plaque in 2011 but failed to take a photo of the building showing the plaque in situ. It was 2017 before we managed to re...

1 subject commemorated
Watch-house in Giltspur Street

Watch-house in Giltspur Street

EC1, Giltspur Street, 10

Watch-house, erected 1791, destroyed 1941, rebuilt 1962.

2 subjects commemorated

Previously viewed

Royal George bust

Royal George bust

W1, Goslett Yard, Royal George pub

So far (2011) the demolition and building works associated with Cross Rail have left this pub alone.

1 subject commemorated
A. E. Bailey
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
The Bell, Carter Lane

The Bell, Carter Lane

EC4, Carter Lane, 43

From: the Devere Society: "1598 October - In the only letter ever discovered addressed to Shakspere at Stratford, one Richard Quiney writ...

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Sir Bernard Spilsbury

Sir Bernard Spilsbury

Forensic pathologist.  Born Leamington Spa, son of a manufacturing chemist.  He was a pioneer in the science of determining the cause of death by examining a corpse and gave evidence in many cases ...

Person, Law, Medicine

1 memorial
Lady John Manners

Lady John Manners

There is sheet music dated 1873 for a song "True for ever" with words and music by Lady John Manners and Virginia Gabriel. Could this be the same LJM who opened our garden? We hope so.

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial