DDiscover AloneMapAbout

All Hallows Staining

Ruins
All Hallows Staining
Photo: Mr Biz, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original Geograph photograph · Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

All Hallows Staining was a medieval City of London church distinguished from wooden neighbours by its stone construction. The church survived the Great Fire, collapsed in 1671, was rebuilt and later demolished, but its tower of about 1320 remains as the visible record of the parish.

Read the whole record

All Hallows Staining was a medieval City of London church distinguished from wooden neighbours by its stone construction. The church survived the Great Fire, collapsed in 1671, was rebuilt and later demolished, but its tower of about 1320 remains as the visible record of the parish.

Foundation and growth

The church is recorded from the late twelfth century, and its name meant the stone All Hallows. The surviving tower was built around 1320 as part of the second church on the site, before a complete rebuilding in 1674.

People and events

Parishioners worshipped here for centuries, and the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers later became the tower's owner and guardian. After wartime bombing damaged St Olave Hart Street, a temporary church used the medieval tower as its chancel from 1948 to 1954.

Damage, loss and survival

All Hallows escaped the Great Fire of 1666 but collapsed five years later, perhaps because dense burial had weakened its foundations. The rebuilt church was demolished after the parish merged with St Olave in 1870, leaving the tower deliberately intact.

Why it mattered

The tower is a rare medieval survivor among churches repeatedly lost to fire, rebuilding, parish mergers and bombing in the City. It also shows how one historic fragment could remain useful through a temporary post-war church rather than becoming a lifeless ruin.

Sources for this account

Sources checked 15 August 2026.

From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) w276186370

This does not grant access. Check current paths, opening conditions and ownership before entering.

Operator
Sanctuary in the City (St Olave Hart St & St Katharine Cree)
What do you know about this place?Tap to add a comment or ask a question

What you write will be public.

Places near here

Photo credits
  • Mike Quinn, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Marathon, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • David Hillas, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Alan Hughes, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Robin Sones, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Colin Smith, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Stephan Brunker, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Nilfanion, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Victorian postbox, Fenchurch Street / Mincing Lane, ec3 (2)Old post box · 76 ydThe Garden at 120Viewpoint · 84 ydVictorian postbox, Fenchurch Street / Mincing Lane, ec3Old post box · 89 ydStatue of Gilt of Cain, Fen CourtMonument or public art · 145 ydMonument Telephone ExchangeMonument or public art · 175 ydSky GardenViewpoint · 251 yd(Another) statue on Ten Trinity Square, ec3Monument or public art · 252 ydMalta Siege MemorialMemorial · 255 ydTower Hill MemorialMemorial · 295 ydLondon Wall: remains of Roman wall and bastion (4a) at Crutched FriarsScheduled monument · 309 yd1974 Tower of London bombingTerrorist attack · 518 yd2019 London Bridge stabbingStabbing attack · 628 yd

More historic places in City of London · All of City of London

Add to this placeAdd a picture Add a detailed tip Add a story

Explore the map1,093,392 places to discover

Next place · or swipeVictorian postbox, Fenchurch Street / Mincing Lane, ec3 (2)