St Katharine Cree Church

known as the guild church to finance, commerce and industry, the present building dates from 1630, although the tower dates from 1504 and was part of the previous church on the site, which itself originally formed part of the mediaeval priory of the holy trinity (1108). the church is grade i listed, having survived the great fire of 1666, the second world war and the baltic exchange bomb of 1992, which blew out the central part of the 17th-century east window. the imposing jacobean architecture is unique in london as well as its organ of outstanding quality, having some 17th-century pipes by ‘father’ smith and good 19th-century additions. handel and purcell are part of the church’s history as both played on the organ. but it is the way that the church has served the city that marks it out. for example, after the great fire st katharine cree remained standing and was used by the liveries serving food to workers as the company halls were rebuilt. the present ministry of the church dat