Lime Street Ward Club

 The Church of St. Peter upon Cornhill is a gem, largely hidden by the offices and shopfronts in Cornhill and Gracecurch Street, and approached from an alley that runs round the Church between Cornhill and Gracechurch Street - immediately opposite Leadenhall Market.
Regretably it is not normally open to visitors as it used on a regular basis for Bible Study, Staff Training...for people associated with St Helen's.

The story of it origins.
It is likley that a church has stood on this site for over 1,800. A brass plaque from the early 14th C in the North East Vestry, states that The Christian King Lucius originally founded a church on this site in the year 179 AD alongside the Roman Forum (underneath Leadenhall Market) - the oldest foundation in the city. In papers from around AD 700 it was already noted as the oldest Church in the City of London.  There is mention in 1040 of a church called "St Peter binnon London" that was a sanctury of fugitives from justice. The original church, with the exception of the base of the main square tower was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. The present church was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren between 1677 and 1681 reopened in 1682. It is believed to be the 5th on this site.

A special service was held on Jan 24th 1979 to celebrate the 1,800 the anniversary.

The organ:
The church has marvellous acoustics, a wonderful wooden screen, said to have been designed by Wren’s daughter, and an organ, built by Schmidt in the 17th C. The Organ dates from 1681 but has been much altered over the years. The gallery and organ case date from the same time. It is famous for some unusual flute stops and is ideal for Elizabethan and Baroque music. It was played by Mendelssohn in 1840 and 1842.  In a small frame on the original keyboard, there is a little scrap of music, autographed by the great composer.

Breadshelves: The shelves were for storing bread that was distributed to the poor.
Other notable features of the church are; the original “bread shelves” at the west end, fixed to the wall above the table underneath the organ gallery which were used for storing bread that was distributed to the poor;

Stained Glass: On the north side of the church are memorial windows to the fallen of the Royal Tank Regiment (whose regimental church this is), in the past their Regimental Flags hung in the Church, there are now found at Windsor Castle. On the south side are windows commemorating the fallen of Gough's Fifth army, the Bedfordshire and Herefordshire Regiment and the Devonshire Regiment.

Chancel Screen: The screen is one of only two from Wren churches in the City and the only one in its original setting. Wren did not favour screens, but the rector of St Peter's at the time of the reopening of the church insisted. The design of the screen is said to be by Wren and his sixteen-year-old daughter.
You will notice that the screen seems to be at an angle, and the pattern of the mosaic flooring has been adapted to fit the space. This is because the east and west walls of the church are not parallel. Tradition has it that the church was built on the site of a Roman building and subsequent re-building has followed the line of the Roman foundations

There is a memorial plaque to a Richard Whittington (not the original Dick)

Near the Baptistery there is a pathetic eighteenth century monument with carvings of seven children – a mother and father went out to visit friends, and returned to find their house in ashes, and their seven children perished. The plaque was erected by their host.

Just inside the entrance on the right is a Banner for the Worshipful Company of Poulters which dates from ???

Just inside the entrance on the left is the Original Lime Street Ward Banner which dates from ???

Another interesting feature is, what was a raised Burial Ground. This gets a specific mention in Charles Dickens' "Our Mutual Friend". It is described as "conveniently and healthily raised above the living". It is also meant to be built on the tallest "hill" in the City of London

With thanks to Past Master John Tuff and St Helen’s
St Helen's Church Office
Great St Helen's
London EC3A 6AT

Tel: 020 7283 2231
e-mail: st-helens@st-helens.org.uk

How St Peter's is used today
Apart from occasional services for the Royal Tank Regiment, the Poulters Company and the Lime Street Ward Club, there are no services held there.

The building is, however, in daily use by St Helen Bishopsgate. At weekends it is the regular venue for the St Helen's youth group, and during the week it provides study space for members of the St Helen's staff team, including sixteen people taking part in the St Helen's Associate programme. This is a two-year programme in which young men and women receive training and gain experience in Bible teaching and pastoral work, with a view to going on to paid Christian ministry. They assist with Bible studies for Christians as well as Christianity Explored. a course especially for those interested in investigating the claims of Jesus Christ.