All Hallows Staining, surrounded by modern buildings
All Hallows Staining, surrounded by modern buildings

Little but the tower remains from this early church, believed to be one of the first built in the City of London.

The south facade
The south facade

Certainly, it was in existence in the 16th century, for Princess Elizabeth, later Elizabeth I, donated new bell ropes to the church, as she said that the church bells had been music to her ears during her imprisonment at the nearby Tower of London. One of those famous bells, dated to 1458, is preserved at Grocers Hall, London.

All Hallows Staining collapsed in 1671, due perhaps to weakening of the foundations from the high number of burials at the church. A new church was built, but this was dismantled in 1870, leaving only the tower.

This tower, a severe example of Perpendicular Gothic style, was sold to The Clothworkers' Company, on condition that they maintain the site in perpetuity. It appears they have held to their bargain, for the tower still stands, amid more modern, but perhaps less appealing, London architecture.

As an aside, the name "Staining" does not refer to discolouration, or to a district of old London, but derives from "Staniggecherch" or "stone church".

The church tower is very easy to find. It stands one block west of Fenchurch Street rail station at the junction of Dunster Court and Mark Lane, immediately beside the Parish Hall of St Olave Hart Street. The tower is within an iron enclosure, which is normally locked, but you can easily see examine the tower from at least two sides from outside the railings.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the tower is a pair of very large arches, now blocked, showing where the tower joined the rest of the church. The tower is crenellated on all sides, and beneath the parapet are very finely carved pairs of trefoil windows.

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About All Hallows Staining
Address: Mark Lane, London, Greater London, England, EC3R 7AA
Attraction Type: Historic Church
Location map
OS: TQ332808
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
Nearest station: London underground station Tower Hill - 0.2 miles (straight line) - Zone: 1


HERITAGE

HeritageWe've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions and learn more about major time periods mentioned.

Find other attractions tagged with:

16th century (Time Period) - Elizabeth I (Person) - Perpendicular (Architecture) - Queen Elizabeth (Person) -


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

St Olave, Hart Street - 0.1 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

All Hallows-by-the-Tower - 0.1 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Leadenhall Market - 0.1 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

London Monument - 0.2 miles (Historic Building) Heritage Rating

St Clement Eastcheap - 0.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

St Magnus the Martyr Church - 0.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

St Andrew Undershaft - 0.2 miles (Historic Church) Heritage Rating

Tower of London - 0.3 miles (Castle) Heritage Rating



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