St Giles in the Fields

St Giles in the field is situated on Denmark Street and is another church steeped in history.

Back in 1101, the first church was founded by Queen Matilda, wife of Henry 1st, as a hospital for London's leppers. Eventually, the parish grew, and the necessity for a new church was required.

The second church was built in 1631 and became known as the plague church as so many victims were interred in its confines. Samuel Pepys makes reference to this in his diary.

The third church and what you see now were built and consecrated in 1733. Designed by Henry Flitcroft in a palladian style with heightened steeple, the church still serves the local parish with weekly services.

I was greated by a kind priest who explained some of the history of the church. There were no others in the church and once I learned the history I was surprised. I stayed in a hotel nearby I stopped at the Church as I was wandering around. I learned there has been a house of prayer at this site since this church has been around since 1101. There used to be a leper hospital here. Years later “in the fields” was added because the parish stretched out wide. The church was near gallows in the 15th century and at the church gate the criminals were offered ale - known as “st Giles bowl”as a last drink of their life. A new church was built after the London fire and in the 1700s the area was poor.
Later the children of lord Byron were baptized here. In the late 1800s the black and white tiles were added (see photos).
An intresting stop if you’re in the area.