The Jewel of the Strand: Discovering St Mary-le-Strand

· by · in London. ·

If you ever walked down the Strand in London before 2023, you’d have been familiar with it—a stunning, Baroque island of Portland stone standing defiantly amidst the flow of double-decker buses and taxis. St Mary-le-Strand is more than just a landmark; it is an architectural masterpiece that has survived centuries of urban transformation.

A Brief History

Completed in 1717, St Mary-le-Strand was the first of fifty churches built under the “Commission for Building Fifty New Churches.” It was designed by the famed architect James Gibbs, who had recently returned from studying in Rome.

The church was intended to be a statement of elegance and faith. It was originally meant to have a giant column nearby topped with a statue of Queen Anne, but she died before it could be built, leaving the church to take centre stage on its own – a task it was more than capable of fulfilling.

Architectural Highlights

The church is a masterclass in the English Baroque style. Because it was designed to be viewed from all sides (it sits – or rather sat – in the middle of the road, after all), Gibbs treated every angle with meticulous care.

  • The Exterior: Featuring two tiers of columns—Ionic on the bottom and Corinthian on top—the facade feels grand yet perfectly proportional.
  • The Interior: Step inside, and the noise of London vanishes. The ceiling is a breathtaking vaulted masterpiece, inspired by Italian Renaissance designs, adorned with intricate plasterwork and gold leaf.
  • The Survival: Despite being hit by several bombs during the Blitz in WWII, the church stood firm, though its beautiful stained glass had to be painstakingly restored.

The Modern “Island”

For years, visiting the church felt like a game of Frogger, as pedestrians had to dodge heavy traffic to reach the front doors. However, a massive pedestrianisation project in 2023 transformed the area.

Today, the church sits at the heart of a peaceful, paved plaza. You can now sit on a bench, grab a coffee, and admire the stone carvings without the smell of exhaust fumes. It has truly returned to being the “Jewel of the Strand.”

Why You Should Visit

Whether you are an architecture nerd, a history buff, or just someone looking for a moment of Zen in Central London, St Mary-le-Strand is a must-see.

  • Location: The Strand, London WC2R 1ES (Right outside King’s College London).
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning, when the sunlight hits the Portland stone and makes the whole building glow.
  • Pro Tip: Look up! The plasterwork on the ceiling is widely considered amongst the finest in the city.

“St Mary-le-Strand is perhaps the most beautiful small church in the world.” — Attributed to various admirers of Gibbs’ work.

Next time you’re rushing toward Covent Garden or Waterloo Bridge, take five minutes to step inside. It’s a reminder that even in a city as fast-paced as London, beauty and history are always present, patiently waiting to be appreciated. Busy commuters and self-important professionals may not give such magnificent structures a second glance, but life’s wasted on them anyway.

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