Building    From 952 

St Dunstans, Stepney

Categories: Religion

Records of this church go back to AD 952. Until the 14th century it was the only church in east London. The existing 15th century building is the third on the site, though it was reclad in 1880s. The porch and octagonal parish room were added in 1872. Suffered some bomb damage in 1945.

The port of London nearby, this church has many associations with sailors and was once known as 'the Church of the High Seas'. Sometimes the red ensign, or 'red duster', the flag of the merchant navy, is flown from the tower. An old tradition is supported by a rhyme: ""He who sails on the wide sea, Is a parishioner of Stepney." Seems the church was happy to enter births at sea into their register, but paupers from distant parts expected it to apply to their ocean-born children as well and there the church drew the line.

".... When will that be, say the bells of Stepney" - that's the bells in this tower speaking.

The church website has a good gallery of historic pictures, and is our picture source, but disappointingly no textual history of the church.

From London Gardens Online: "The churchyard closed for burials in 1854 and most of the tombstones and headstones were removed between 1885 and 1887 when high ground around the church was dug away. The MPGA then converted the burial ground into a public garden ... 1887".

2018: A London Inheritance explores this church, with many images.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
St Dunstans, Stepney

Commemorated ati

St Dunstans gates - 1844

This small plaque is on the inner gate pier to the left of our photo. From Lo...

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St Dunstans gates - 1999

This small plaque is on the inner gate pier to the right of our photo. We li...

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St Dunstans - noticeboards

We were reading this board and deciding it really was not interesting enough ...

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Other Subjects

Mrs Oswald Howard

Mrs Oswald Howard

Connected to the Salvation Army Citadel, Ronalds Road in 1890.

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Church Army

Church Army

A Christian evangelical organisation founded by Reverend Wilson Carlile. Unlike the plaque, their website omits the definite article from their name so so do we.

Group, Religion

1 memorial
Percy Dearmer

Percy Dearmer

Born Kilburn. Priest and liturgist. Canon of Westminster Abbey, author of the Parson’s Handbook and the Oxford Book of Carols. An early advocate of the ordination of women to public ministry but no...

Person, Music / songs, Religion

1 memorial
Rev. H. Russell Wakefield

Rev. H. Russell Wakefield

It seems very likely that the Rector of St Mary's, Bryanston Square in 1897 was this man. Bishop of Birmingham.

Person, Religion

1 memorial
Old Baptist Union

Old Baptist Union

A group of evangelical Baptist churches in the UK. Founded by Rev. H. A. Squire (with others) who became the founding President. The Old Baptist Union's executive body is called the "Council of Man...

Group, Religion

1 memorial

Previously viewed

A. E. Andrews
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Hazelhurst Road WW2 bomb

Hazelhurst Road WW2 bomb

SW17, Hazelhurst Road, Sutton Courtenay House

V2 rocket fell in this neighbourhood, Sunday 19th November 1944, causing significant loss of life, casualties and destruction of homes. 2...

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Stephen Dykes Bower

Stephen Dykes Bower

Church architect.  Born Gloucester.  The official surveyor of the fabric for Westminster Abbey in 1961-73 and restored Martin-in-the-Fields after WW2.  He has worked in parish churches and cathedra...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial