Saint Magnus the Martyr church

The church of St Magnus the Martyr

The London audio-guided tour invites you to quiet contemplation before the church of St Magnus the Martyr, one of the many churches of the City. Originally built in the twelfth century, it was entirely rebuilt in the seventeenth century after the Great Fire of London.

An Anglican church

St Magnus the Martyr is an Anglican church. Anglicanism is a Christian denomination that claims to be both Catholic and Reformed, born in the sixteenth century when the King of England broke with the papacy. It was Queen Elizabeth I, the last sovereign of the Tudor dynasty, who lastingly consolidated this State Church, while raising London among the great powers of her time.

What there is to see

Rebuilt after the Great Fire, the church presents a rich interior, its slender bell tower and a careful decor, in the tradition of the City churches restored in the seventeenth century. A living place of worship, it offers an interlude of calm and contemplation in the heart of the financial district. Its proximity to the old London Bridge makes it a witness to the history of the city.

Practical information

The church of St Magnus the Martyr is in the City of London, near the site of the old London Bridge. An active place of worship, it is visited with respect for contemplation; access is generally free during opening hours, which may vary according to services. Appropriate dress is appreciated.

When was St Magnus church rebuilt?

In the seventeenth century, after the Great Fire of London; the original building dated back to the twelfth century.

What is Anglicanism?

A Christian denomination both Catholic and Reformed, born in the sixteenth century when the King of England broke with the papacy.