Frommer's Review
When the aristocratic area known as St. James's was developed in the late 17th century, Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to build its parish church. Diarist John Evelyn wrote of the interior, "There is no altar anywhere in England, nor has there been any abroad, more handsomely adorned." Wren's master carver Grinling Gibbons created the reredos (a screen decorated with religious icons and placed behind the altar), organ case, and font. As might be expected, this church has rich historical associations: The poet William Blake was baptized here, as was William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, who became England's youngest prime minister at age 24. Caricaturist James Gillray, auctioneer James Christie, and coffeehouse founder Francis White are all buried here. One of the more colorful marriages celebrated here was that of explorer Sir Samuel Baker and the woman he had bought at a slave auction in a Turkish bazaar. St. James's Church is a radical, inclusive Anglican church. It's also the Centre for Health and Healing and holds seminars on New Age and Creation Spirituality. There's a Bible Garden and a crafts market in the courtyard. The Wren Cafe is open daily, and lunchtime and evening concerts are presented. There is an antiques market at St. James's on Tuesday from 10am to 6pm, and a crafts market Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm.
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