London is a city built on layers of history, and some of its most fascinating stories lie in the remains of its lost churches. Once standing proudly across the city, many of these medieval and historic churches were lost to the Great Fire of 1666, World War II bombings, and modern redevelopment. But their stories live on - hidden in plain sight, waiting to be rediscovered.
We invite you to explore these forgotten treasures, tracing their locations, discovering their fascinating pasts, and seeing the echoes of their existence still woven into London’s streets. Discover ancient foundations beneath modern buildings and secret churchyard gardens, now peaceful escapes from the bustling city. You'll spot surviving architectural details tucked away in alleys and side streets and read stories of resilience, from destruction to transformation.
Whether you're a history lover, a curious traveler, or simply looking for a new way to experience London, this journey through the city’s lost churches offers an unforgettable perspective. Imagine standing where Christopher Wren rebuilt after the Great Fire, or uncovering a forgotten churchyard in the heart of the modern financial district.
London’s lost churches aren’t gone - they’re just waiting to be found.
Modern technology makes exploring much easier. Details of the cards, the Collector’s Book and exploratory walks are available online. Here you can download a google map of a historic church walk onto your mobile phone and follow the path live as you walk along. The GPS on your phone will show if you are on the right track.
Why not also discover our page exploring London's unseen chapels. London is teeming with chapels of all shapes and sizes, often out of view of the main tourist routes. Some are also included in the Lost London Churches Project.
by John Donald
The Lost London Churches Project celebrates the ancient churches and parishes of the City of London, encouraging visitors to explore their history.
A set of 78 collectable cards, in the style of vintage cigarette cards, features illustrations of both lost and surviving city churches. Each card has a historical note on the back. These can be collected from participating churches in exchange for a small donation - adding an interactive element to your journey.
London lost many of its churches in three waves:
While the buildings vanished, the parishes endured, leaving traces like parish boundary markers hidden on modern office buildings. To aid exploration, the project has also published a Parish Guide and a Collector’s Book with spaces for the cards.
The book’s maps are based on the 1676 Ogilvie & Morgan map, a detailed post-Fire depiction of London, showing every church and parish boundary. Amazingly, much of the layout remains unchanged, allowing you to navigate London as it once was - through a historic lens.
Discover a lost world hidden in the heart of the city!
If you have any questions, you can contact John by email to lostchurches@gmail.com
GeoffHenson
