St Dionis Backchurch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Dionis Backchurch
Location	London
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Anglican
Previous denomination	Roman Catholic
Architecture
Architect(s)	Christopher Wren
Style	Baroque
Demolished	1878

St Dionis Backchurch was an old parish church located in the City of London. It was first built a very long time ago, in the Middle Ages. After the terrible Great Fire of London, the church was rebuilt by the famous architect Christopher Wren. Sadly, it was taken down in 1878.

A Look Back: Early Church History

The St Dionis church was named after Dionysus the Areopagite, a person from ancient times. The "Backchurch" part of its name might mean it was located behind other buildings. Or, it could have been named because of its position compared to another church, St Gabriel Fenchurch.

We know the church existed by the year 1288. That's when Reginald de Standen was recorded as its rector, or head priest. Later, in 1466, a local leader named John Darby added a new section to the church. He was buried there when he died.

For a long time, the right to choose the church's priest belonged to the Christchurch Cathedral in Canterbury.

Rebuilding After the Great Fire

The original church was completely destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. But it didn't stay gone for long! The church was rebuilt starting in 1674. The design was created by the famous architect Christopher Wren. Building the church cost a lot of money, about £5,737 back then.

Ten years later, a tall bell tower was added. This tower was also designed by Wren. The church was mostly made of stone. It had a large window at the front, facing Lime Street.

Today, if you visit Lime Street, you can find a special plaque. It's on the wall of the buildings that stand where the church used to be. This plaque reminds everyone that St Dionis Backchurch was once there.

Why the Church Was Demolished

In 1858, people noticed the church needed a lot of repairs. An architect named George Edmund Street checked it out. He suggested that it would be cheaper to tear down most of the church and rebuild it. He even had a new design ready.

However, before any rebuilding could happen, the church leaders decided the area didn't need the church anymore. So, in 1878, the church was taken down. Its parish, or local area, was combined with another church nearby.

When the church was being surveyed, they found something cool! A secret crypt, or underground room, from the 1400s was still there beneath Wren's church.

The church had ten bells that were made between 1726 and 1750. When St Dionis was demolished, these bells were moved to the All Hallows Lombard Street church.

Some parts of the old church were saved. The font (a basin used for baptisms) and the pulpit (where the preacher stands) were moved to a new church. This new church, St Dionis, Parsons Green, was built using money from selling the old church's land. The people who were buried at St Dionis Backchurch were moved to the City of London Cemetery.

St Dionis Backchurch Today

Even though the church building is gone, its history lives on. The area that used to be the St Dionis Backchurch parish is now part of a larger group of parishes. This group is usually called "St Edmund & St Mary Woolnoth." It's still part of the Church of England today.

Images for kids

• 

  This monument at the City of London Cemetery marks where people from St Dionis Backchurch were reburied.

• 

  This is the modern church of St Dionis, Parsons Green. It was built with money from the sale of the old City church's land.