Reviews of St Mary Le Strand Church. (Church) in London (London).

St Mary Le Strand Church

126 Reviews

67 Comments

Church

Anglican church

Strand, London WC2R 1ES, United Kingdom

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Description Map Open Hours Reviews Contact Photos

Description

Information of St Mary Le Strand Church, Church in London (London)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.

Map

Open hours of St Mary Le Strand Church

Sunday

8am–2pm

Monday

12–4pm

Tuesday

12–4pm

Wednesday

12–7pm

Thursday

12–4pm

Friday

5–10pm

Saturday

12–10pm

Popular times

Sunday

12
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14
15

Monday

12
13
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15

Tuesday

12
13
14
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17

Wednesday

12
13
14
15

Thursday

17
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21

Friday

12
13
14
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Saturday

8
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13

Reviews of St Mary Le Strand Church

St. Mary-le-Strand is one of two island churches, along with St. Clement Danes Church, found in the middle of the bustling Strand near the Somerset building. It is a small church and can be visited quite quickly if you are intending to also see the Somerset or other attractions in the area. Historically, the present St. Mary-le-Strand was built and consecrated in 1724. However, there is evidence which suggests that its history extends to at least 1222. This would make St. Mary-le-Strand one of the oldest parishes in London. The church was originally situated upon the grounds of the present day Somerset House. Edward Seymour, the 1st Duke of Somerset had the church pulled down prior to the palace construction, with promise of rebuilding the church. This promise was unfortunately not kept and the church not rebuilt until the Act of Parliament was passed in 1711 for the building of 50 new churches to support the fast growing suburban areas of London. The new St. Mary-le-Strand was then designed and built by James Gibbs in 1714-1717, who was greatly influenced by the elaborate style of the Baroque churches he studied in Rome. He had ideas for a grand circular-shaped church but that intended design was rejected, forcing him to adopt the more conventional rectilinear plan for St. Mary-le-Stand. Roman Baroque influences can be seen throughout the interior and exterior of the church. Interestingly, the exterior is quite similar to St. Martin-in-the-Fields church at Trafalgar Square. This should come as no surprise as the reconstruction of St. Martin was James Gibbs next project following St. Mary-le-Strand. In the end, we found the history of St. Mary-le-Strand interesting but due to its small size, we prefer seeing nearby St. Clement Danes Church. For those interested in James Gibbs architectural work, try to visit St. Mary's first then make your way to Trafalgar Square to see St. Martin.

P. J.

One of the many well designed churches which give character to areas, offsetting some of the more bland new developments around

V. B.

I especially love the imposing front façade and churchyard of St. Mary-le-Strand, the Island Church on the Strand built by James Gibbs in the early 1700s

A. D.

Currently functioning as an orthodox church, but with not too much iconography. The building itself is gorgeous, and the location is genial, in the middle of the avenue. Great for pictures in the afternoon, with a blue sky

C. I.

I'm only reviewing it as a photographer who had to cover an event in it. Even though the church itself looks lovely both from outside and inside, the priest won't let you go around and do your job. He will ask you to stay only innone position which will give only one specific angle to shoot from, most of the images looking more or less the same. Other then that it seems to be a nice place to go every Sunday even though I think it cand get really crowded.

S. V.

I have wanted to visit the church on many occasions but every time i've been in the area the gates have been shut. It only opens for services twice a week, you can however book a tour though their website. This time I got luck as one of the vergers had just finished a tour and I got in before she shut up shop. It’s a very simple looking church with some brilliant wood carving on the roof. The church has been adopted by the WRENS the Women's Royal Naval Service. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area and you can get in.

G. M.

Lovely church, a great place.

R. B. -. E. k.

An extremely lovely church both inside and out. I am always very wary about taking photos inside Churches without prior permission. So had the delight of taking some exterior shots of the excellent architecture. Trouble is stone work gets dirty and grey with all the London pollution. Think people "pass this one by" as it sits on it's own Island in a busy thoroughfare. Worth a visit if you have just been in Somerset House or any other local places.

C. G.

Usually passed for other bigger well-known institutions (e.g., Somerset House, Indian embassy, Australian embassy, King's College London), once you attend one of this church's services, you will realise how much under-rated yet wonderful this institution is. So much history and rivalry with the nearby 'island' church but this one's for those who appreciates little jewels of a church. Those big for the soul sometimes come in small packages, and St Mary-le-Strand certainly is one of them.

A. F.

I have fond memories as Almoner for six years to the ancient (and now merged) Isaac Duckett Charity for which St Mary-le-Strand had been the administrative base since the bombing of St Clement Danes. One of the highlights of work as Almoner was being able to attend worship at St Mary-le-Strand and introduce elderly annuitants of the Charity, who had hitherto not been to the Church despite living in the Parish all their lives. I have not attended Anglican worship for many years as, like my fellow Lay-Minister, Terry Waite, I am member of the Religious Society of Friends. However, it was good to see, last year, that, with the Licensing of the Revd Philip Chester, the Vacancy had at last been filled. I do wish those who may remember me, every blessing through the ministry of their new Priest-in-Charge.

A. W.

What a beautiful little Church! Gorgeous on the inside, so tranquil and the artwork on display was amazing x

C. M.

Lovely cathedral often left off the tour books. Buy a photography "license" for £1

B. J.

Beautiful church, in a very nice part of the city

N. P.

God bless

G. G.

Interesting position for a church ⛪, easy to get and find

M. V.

Very nice church in the middle of the Strand road down town.

Lovely, peaceful church in the centre of London.

n. l.

I'll love to be a part of this church

D. W.

Cannot enter. Only take pictures outside.

P. L.

Because it is a river Eternal life

D. B.

Very nice

F. S.

Very beautiful building

l. ..

Beautiful architecture and glass

p. g.

Best place for pray

C. V.

Beautiful church

v. l.

Peaceful

K. S.

So beautiful

V. M.

... 🍀❤️I love God...!!!

R. H.

Old. Pretty. And there.

j. J.

Good vibew

J. W.

Interesting

D. N.

(Translated) A beautiful and pleasant atmosphere surrounds you in this church located on Strand. But you can't stay longer at noon, because they closed, which wasn't very pleasant if you went to pray and seek solitude. (Original) Красива и приятна атмосфера те обгръща в тази църква намираща се на Странд. Но няма как да поостанеш по-дълго по обедно време, защото затваряха, което не бе много приятно, ако си отишъл да се помолиш и потърсиш уединение.

P. R.

(Translated) It's a beautiful place. The church is between the streets. You say it's on an island in central London (Original) Este un loc frumos. Biserica este intre strazi. Zici ca este pe o insula in centrul Londrei

M. L.

(Translated) It's nice but if you want to baptize waiting for it to warm up outside, you don't really feel the difference between outside and inside! (Original) Este frumos dar dacă vrei să botezi așteaptă să se încălzească afară ,nu prea simți diferența între afară și înăuntru !

C. F.

(Translated) The current configuration of the church dates back to the year 1714, the work of the architect James Gibbs. Official Church of the Royal Female Naval Service. (Original) A configuração actual da igreja remonta ao ano 1714, obra do arquiteto James Gibbs. Igreja oficial do Serviço Naval Real Feminino.

I. T.

(Translated) Priest Ionel is a Priest very close to my soul. (Original) Preotul Ionel este un Preot foarte aproape de sufletul meu.

G. S.

(Translated) The parent is very ok, and the Church is very beautiful! (Original) Parintele este foarte ok , si Biserica este foarte frumoasa!

P. N.

(Translated) Lovely! (Original) Preciosa!

M. A.

(Translated) Royal Navy Church, very beautiful church in Flintstreet. If you are in the vicinity is necessarily view (Original) Royal Navy Church, sehr schönes Gotteshaus in der Flintstreet. Wenn man in der Nähe ist unbedingt ansehen

J. G.

(Translated) Very photogenic church from the outside as it is nestled in the middle of Strand Street (Original) Iglesia muy fotogenica desde el exterior ya que esta enclavada en medio de la calle Strand