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Situated
next to Smithfield meat market and St Bartholomew's hospital,
this church managed to survive the Great Fire of London and the
Blitz.
Rahere who became the first prior and went on to build a choir
ambulatory and Lady Chapel founded the church in 1123. Benjamin
Franklin once used the Chapel as a workshop and printing room in
1725.
Although much of the church has been rebuilt over the years, it
was last restored in 1897 by Sir Aston Webb, and in 1932 Frank
Beresford restored the choir screen with a painting of the monks
going about there daily routine.
Within the church the font dates back to the 15th century, and a
16th century tomb, which holds the body of the late Rahere who
died in 1143.
The
Butchers Company still holds their annual service here.
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