The Jewel in the Strand
St Mary le Strand has stood proudly as a place of worship and sanctuary in the heart of London for over 300 years. Nestled in the newly pedestrianised eastern end of London’s Strand, the church is now the focal point of a blossoming cultural hub, surrounded by galleries, theatres and restaurants.
With the regeneration of its neighbouring community as part of the Strand Aldwych Project, St Mary le Strand has reinvigorated its commitment to best serve the students, visitors and local residents who come through its doors. The Jewel in the Strand Project is this renewed focus in action.
In partnership with the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the Jewel in the Strand Project is a vital conservation initiative that will enable the restoration and redevelopment of the church building and gardens.
Over the years, wear and tear have taken a toll on this architectural gem; from roof repairs and stonework restoration to the preservation of its stunning stained-glass windows and ornate ceiling, St Mary le Strand requires extensive capital work to maintain its historical grandeur.
The Jewel in the Strand Project will transform the church into a dynamic place of worship that is relevant to the 21st century and beyond by maximising on space and improving accessibility for visitors of all faiths and backgrounds.
The proposed works will ensure that new and diverse audiences can enjoy the church space and engage with the unique heritage of the area for years to come.
Vision
Restoring and redeveloping the church building will enhance the diverse cultural programme at St Mary le Strand and will create further opportunities for community engagement by facilitating:
- Outreach initiatives with our parish school, St Clement Danes, as well as local charity and community groups
- Enhanced student experiences for local institutions such as King’s College London and London School of Economics
- Bespoke cultural events in partnership with our neighbours at Somerset House and the Courtauld Gallery
- Enriched events programme including music, heritage, local art competitions, and a community choir
- Availability for venue hire that will anchor the Strand Aldwych as the cultural and creative hub of Westminster
- Sanctuary, inclusivity and welcome in the heart of London
Proposed Works
St Mary le Strand is proud to collaborate with key partners, including Nick Cox Architects, London Heritage Quarter (LHQ), King’s College London, the London School of Economics, Somerset House, the Courtauld, and other local organizations, to carry out this ambitious project.
The proposed works are set to make a lasting impact by delivering:
- Urgent repair and conservation works to preserve the church’s stunning architecture, inside and out.
- Step-free access to the main body of the church via a ramp up to a new terrace on the north side of the building, ensuring access for all visitors.
- Transformation of the vaults underneath the church, creating a new community space to include a kitchen, office and toilets. This new area will also be accessible via a ramp on the south side of the church.
- Sustainability by renewing heating, lighting and AV systems to make the church a flexible space that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as music, art and worship.
- Flexibility with the addition of movable pews, allowing the church to accommodate a wide variety of events including art exhibitions, concerts, seminars, music workshops, fashion shows, social and corporate events. In this format, the church will continue to be a place of worship and a venue for significant life events such as christenings, weddings and funerals.
Current Progress and Next Steps
The Jewel in the Strand Project has seen encouraging progress in recent months. Having passed the mid-stage review with the National Lottery Heritage Fund in December 2024, the project team is now focusing on securing funding for the next stage of the stage of the project, the Development Phase.
So far, the project has overseen the completion of emergency stonework repairs on the church building. Over the last year and a half, stonemasons have removed all the loose stonework and pinned any masonry that was too big to remove. They have lifted down urns from the roof which were fractured at their base and stabilised the balustrades. As a result, this area is safe from loose stonework, the fencing has been removed and passersby can enjoy sitting in the Sanctuary Garden surrounding the church.
If you would like to show your support for the Jewel in the Strand Project then you are warmly invited to Sponsor a Flower on the church’s unparalleled ceiling. You can also keep up to date with all the latest project developments by signing up to the Jewel in the Strand Project Newsletter.
Thank you for helping to ensure that St Mary le Strand continues to shine as the Jewel in the Strand for centuries to come.
If you would like to find out more about the project or find out about ways to get involved, you can sponsor a flower or contact us for further information about ways to sponsor the new Strand Crypt and other aspects of the project.