Fleet Street
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St Brides Church
Fleet Street
This beautiful church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the church was rebuilt following the Great Fire of London in 1666. The tower of the church is in the shape of a four-tiered wedding cake, and is said to have provided the inspiration for a Fleet Street baker when he was asked to bake a special cake for a lady who was married in St. Brides Church.
 The church has strong associations with journalists and newspaper workers. The first printing press with moveable type was invented by William Caxton died in 1491. Wynkyn de Worde, his apprentice acquired the press after Caxton died, and brought it to a house alongside St. Bride's because churchmen (who were literate and therefore their best customers) lived here. Wynkyn de Worde was buried in St. Bride's in 1535. In his will he left £1 a year to the poor of the parish.
For five hundred years "Fleet Street" has been the generic word for the Press, and its spiritual heart has been the church of St Brides. It was their local church when all the offices of the main UK newspapers were printed in Fleet Street. Recently when the famous columnist Bill Deedes died his service was held in St. Brides.
St. Brides was badly damaged during the Blitz in World War II but has been sensitively restored, and has just been the recipient of a £3.5 million facelift.
Nearest Tube station: Blackfriars or St. Pauls.
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