St Dunstan-in-the-East, London: Reclaimed By Nature

St Dunstan-in-the-East is a breathtaking hidden gem in the heart of London.

Nestled amidst the towering skyscrapers of the capital, the ancient church was largely destroyed in the Second World War and the ruins are now a public garden.

As you step inside, the proximity to the Tower of London and the River Thames seems unfathomable.

Transported from the urban hustle, you'll find yourself enveloped in a realm of gothic remnants and verdant foliage.

This green oasis has benches and a fountain with greenery draping the historic walls. 

The church's foundation dates back to around 1100. In 1391, a new south aisle was incorporated, and extensive repairs were carried out in 1631, amounting to an expenditure exceeding £2,400.

During the Great Fire of London in 1666, the church suffered severe damage.

Rather than undergoing complete reconstruction, it underwent repair works between 1668 and 1671.

Subsequently, a steeple was erected between 1695 and 1701 following designs by Sir Christopher Wren.

The steeple was constructed in a gothic style harmonising with the church's main structure, although featuring distinct heavy string courses uncommon in medieval architecture.

Notably, its needle spire is supported by four flying buttresses, reminiscent of St Nicholas in Newcastle.

After restoration, the church boasted intricate wooden carvings by Grinling Gibbons and an organ crafted by Father Smith, later relocated to the abbey at St Albans in 1818.

During the Blitz of 1941, the church sustained more severe damage, yet Wren's tower and steeple endured the bombings.

Only the north and south walls remained intact. In the post-war reorganization of the Anglican Church in London, the decision was made not to reconstruct St. Dunstan's.

Subsequently, in 1967, the City of London Corporation opted to repurpose the church's ruins into a public garden, which opened in 1971.

The site was transformed with the planting of trees and a lawn within the ruins, featuring a modest fountain positioned at the centre of the nave.

Presently, the tower accommodates the All Hallows House Foundation.

The parish has since merged with the Benefice of All Hallows by the Tower.

Periodic open-air services take place in the church, such as those on Palm Sunday preceding a procession to All Hallows by the Tower along St Dunstan's Hill and Great Tower Street.

Recognising its historical significance, the ruin was granted Grade I listed building status on 4 January 1950.

Why was it built?

St. Dunstan-in-the-East was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Dunstan, who was an influential figure in medieval England.

St. Dunstan was an abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, a bishop of London, and eventually the Archbishop of Canterbury in the 10th century.

He was renowned for his piety, scholarship, and reform efforts within the church.

The construction of the church likely served several purposes common to medieval churches of the time.

Firstly, it provided a place of worship for the local community, where they could gather for religious services, ceremonies, and prayers.

Churches also played a central role in the social and cultural life of medieval towns, serving as meeting places, centres of learning, and venues for important events such as weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

Additionally, churches like St. Dunstan-in-the-East often served as symbols of religious devotion and spiritual significance.

They were built to honour saints or commemorate important religious events, and their architecture and decoration reflected the religious beliefs and practices of the time.

Someone who recently visited the gardens said: If you're looking for hidden gems in London, then this is a must visit.

”This historic church gives you the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of London and into a quiet, tranquil atmosphere. One where history stands still. Definitely worth the visit!”

Another person added: “Absolutely breathtaking. It just fills me with wonder that just around the corner in a major metropolitan city, has a hidden gem of this garden built out of a church ruin.

”People where there reading, sketching and eating lunch. It was a very peaceful place to visit.”

Today, the church is Grade 1 listed, making the site ‘of exceptional national, architectural or historical importance.’

If you’d like to visit, the address is: St Dunstan's Hill, London EC3R 5DD.

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