Church of St Mary Axe facts for kids

St. Mary Axe was a church that stood in the City of London during the Middle Ages. Its full name was quite long: St. Mary, St. Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins. People also sometimes called it St. Mary Pellipar. The more common name, St. Mary at the Axe, came from a sign of an axe that was placed over the east end of the church building. The Skinners' Company were the main supporters of this church.

What's in a Name? The Axe Story

The name "St. Mary Axe" has an interesting history. According to a writer named John Stow in his book A Survey of London (1603), the name came from "the sign of an Axe" that was near the church's east side.

The Legend of Saint Ursula

However, an old document from the time of King Henry VIII tells another story. It mentions a special relic kept in the church. This relic was "An axe, one of the two that the eleven thousand Virgins were beheaded with." This refers to a famous legend about Saint Ursula.

The legend says that Saint Ursula was returning to Britain from a pilgrimage to Rome. She was with eleven thousand handmaidens. When they reached what is now Cologne, Germany, a Hunnish chief wanted to marry Ursula. She refused, and because of this, she and all her companions were executed around 451 AD. The axe in the church was believed to be one of the axes used in this event.

Where Was the Church Located?

St. Mary Axe church was located just north of Leadenhall Street in London. Today, a building called Fitzwilliam House stands on that spot. The church was first mentioned as St Mary apud Ax. For a while, it belonged to the nearby Priory of St. Helens.

The Church's Decline

By the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in England, the church was still there but was not in good condition. In 1562, it was offered to Protestant refugees from Spain as a place to worship. But just three years later, in 1565, the church was empty and falling apart. Soon after, it was completely torn down. Its local area, called a parish, was then joined with the nearby St. Andrew Undershaft church.

The Street Named After the Church

Even though the church is gone, it gave its name to a street of the same name. This street connects Leadenhall Street with Camomile Street and Houndsditch.

Modern Landmarks on St. Mary Axe Street

Number 30 St. Mary Axe was once home to the Baltic Exchange. This building was sadly destroyed by a bomb in 1992. The Baltic Exchange is now located at number 38, just north of its old spot. On the site where the old Baltic Exchange stood, you can now see 30 St. Mary Axe. This is a very tall skyscraper often called The Gherkin because of its unique shape.

The street of St. Mary Axe also appears in popular culture. It was the location of the sorcerer's shop in the operetta The Sorcerer by Gilbert and Sullivan. This show even helps us know how the name was once pronounced: "Simmery Axe."

Today, the church that remains on the street is St Andrew Undershaft.