History
A brief history of St Andrew's
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As well as this recent addition, St Andrew's has acquired several antique fitments over the past thirty years, most coming from other London churches destroyed in the last war. As a Wren church denuded of its original interior, it was lucky to get a replacement pulpit from the church of St Matthew, Friday Street, which had been built in the same period. The font and cover also came from here. Among other treasures are a figure of St Andrew, dated around 1600, which stands on the north side of the sanctuary and an unusual figure of St Ann who is shown holding the Virgin Mary who in turn holds the Christ child. This statue, which is probably north Italian, dates to around 1500.
Livery Companies
A number of City Livery Companies have links with St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe and some of their banners are displayed in the church, (Mercers, Apothecaries & Blacksmiths). St Andrew's has been designated as the Ward Church of the Castle Baynard Ward.
The Mercers Company
In 1542 the Company purchased from Henry VIII the property of the Hospital of St Thomas of Acon which included the advowson of St Mary Colechurch at the corner of Cheapside and Old Jewry. The Great Fire destroyed this church and the benefice was united with St Mildred Poultry. In 1871 St Mildred's was pulled down and an exchange of rights was made between the Company and the Crown which gave the Company a share in the presentation of St Andrew by the Wardrobe. Under a Deed signed in 1984 the Company became the joint Patrons with the Parochial Church Council of St Andrew and in 1986 a plurality was made between St Andrew by the Wardrobe and St James Garlickhythe.
