Another in an occasional series on churches outside the City walls that survived the Great Fire of 1666 (see also November 18^th posting on St Bartholomew the Great) …

St Bartholomew the Less in West Smithfield was originally founded as one of five chapels attached to the Priory of St Bartholomew in the twelfth century, and added to in the fifteenth, before being dissolved under Henry VIII in the sixteenth, thereafter becoming a parish church.  It was undamaged in the Great Fire of 1666, although nonetheless had to be substantially rebuilt by George Dance the Younger between 1789-93, and again by Thomas Hardwick between 1823-5, and restored by his grand-son Philip Hardwick between 1862-3.  It was then  badly damaged by bombing during the Second World War, and had to be rebuilt yet again, by Lord Mottistone, in 1950-1.

Tower of St Bartholomew the Less

The oldest surviving part of the church is the  fifteenth-century tower, located just inside the eighteenth-century Henry VIII Gate leading into St Bartholomew’s Hospital.  Inigo Jones was baptised in the church in 1573.

The church is visited, although not entered, on our “Historic Smithfield, Clerkenwell and Holborn” standard walk, and on our “Medieval London” themed special.

Further details of all our walks are available in the “Guided Walks” section of this web-site.

Bookings may be made through the “Contact/Booking” section of the web-site, by e-mail (lostcityoflondon@sky.com), or by phone (020-8998-3051).

Medieval brass, defaced by Puritans

Memorial inside St Bartholomew the Less

Another Memorial in St Bartholomew the Less

Stained-glass window depicting founder Rahere as a jester