History
A brief history of St Andrew's
Page 1
The plain design of Wren's last city church attracts very little attention despite its simple grace. Thrown further into the shadows by a noisy and fast-moving road, St Andrew by the Wardrobe is even easier to ignore. Like a well-bred lady fallen on hard times, the church waits with quiet dignity for someone to stop and pass the time of day.
With its rectangular body and unembellished tower, St Andrew's presents a no-nonsense image to the outside world. Its warmth is all on the inside, where a wealth of woodwork carved in traditional style adds a wonderfully restful feel.
Burnt down in the Great Fire and bombed out in the Blitz, today's church of St Andrew is a complete reconstruction nestling within Wren's walls. The details—including the 17th century emblems on the ceiling—have been reproduced with particular care, so that it is difficult to tell that the church was out of use until 1961.
The history of St Andrew's dates back to the thirteenth century when it was associated with Baynard's Castle, a royal residence that has long since disappeared. When King Edward III moved his state robes and other effects from the Tower of London to a large building close by, St Andrew's became better known for its connection with the Great Wardrobe. The name stayed to specify its location although the King's store room is now only remembered in Wardrobe Place.
