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The original church on this site was wooden and was erected
shortly after King Olaf died in 1025. Saint Olave's was
dedicated to King Olaf of Norway, who fought with Ethelred at
the battle of London Bridge in 1014.
Saint Olave's was rebuilt in the 13th century and then again in
the 15th century. After surviving the Great Fire it was badly
damaged in bombing raids during WW II. But Earnest Glainfield
restored the church to its original style. Grinling Gibbons was
reported to have carried out some work within Saint Olave's.
Samuel Pepys was strongly connected to Saint Olave's and within
the church you can see a statue of him
and his wife. They were later buried here in the nave.
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