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The oldest church in the City, founded by the Saxon Abbey of Barking. Built on the site of a Roman building. Expanded and rebuilt several times. A nearby explosion in 1650 demolished the west tower. During the Great Fire of 1666 William Penn's father arranged for the surrounding buildings to be demolished to act as a fire break and so saved the church and Pepys used it as a vantage point from which to view the conflagration. In 1940 the church was badly damaged by bombs with only the tower and walls remaining. The reconstruction work completed in 1957. William Penn was baptised here. John Adams was married here. It is an interesting church to visit. Church's website.