St Mary-at-Hill
St Mary -at- Hill is the parish church of Billingsgate Ward. Like the rest of the City of London also has Billingsgate almost no inhabitants. The church-goers are people who work in the City or London visitors. The church is located on a slope down to the banks of the Thames, and is aptly named.
Architectural History
The church dates back to the 12th century. In its present form it dates from the 15th century. It was destroyed a part after the Great Fire of London and rebuilt from 1670 to 1674 by Christopher Wren again. Wren received the tower and parts of the exterior walls. The tower together with the western end of the Lovat Lane, however, was renewed by George Gwilt in the 18th century. Another fire in 1988 destroyed the roof, but has since been rebuilt.
Architecture
The church is surrounded by a narrow road network of the City of London that it is virtually impossible to see multiple pages at once. Even the church tower is visible from the west. The north side is only seen by a small courtyard, the south side by a narrow footpath, west and east elevation in each case by slightly wider roads. Depending on whether one of Lovat Lane ( West) or St Mary -at -Hill ( East) approaches, the church seems to have a completely different character.
Built by Wren east facade has a central window in the Palladian style, which is bricked up since the 18th century. The right and left are two semi-circular window. A striking feature of this facade is the clock that goes on the road.
Especially in the northern wall that is adjacent to a small cemetery, medieval parts are still available.
The tower on the west side is built of yellow brick.
The basic form of the Church corresponds to a quincunx, as was the custom in Byzantine churches. A dome in the center is supported by four freestanding columns. The columns are free variations of Corinthian columns. Are striking especially the woodwork of high quality inside. These were located after the fire of 1988 for several years in the camp.