Life at St Mary-le-Bow

Who We Are

St Mary-le-Bow is a Church of England church in the City of London. Prayer and worship form the continuing rhythm of our life, but you'll also find many other things taking place here.

We hold regular public conversations, celebrations for Pride and International Women’s Day, visits from the Pearly Kings and Queens, lunchtime recitals and gatherings that bring together people from across the City and beyond. At different moments, the church can be a place of worship, music, conversation, celebration or quiet reflection.

All of this is part of the life of St Mary-le-Bow: a Christian community seeking to be present to the City around us and to the people who live and work here.

A crowd of people gathered outside a historic building with ornate stone architecture and sculptures. A person wearing a bicycle helmet is riding past in the foreground.

Our Guiding

Principles

Open
To All

St Mary-le-Bow creates space for people from different backgrounds, traditions and perspectives. Our programme includes Pride, International Women’s Day and interfaith events, alongside business, civic and community gatherings.

Dialogue
& Debate

Talks, panels and public conversations are an important part of life at St Mary-le-Bow. The church has long been a place for discussion and debate, with its historic twin pulpits designed to give voice to different perspectives.

Caring for
the Future

We have inherited an extraordinary building and a living tradition, both of which we have a responsibility to pass on. We want to ensure St Mary-le-Bow continues to be a place of worship and an active part of City life for generations to come.

Come To An Event

A man with gray hair wearing a dark suit and pink shirt, standing at a wooden podium in a church, speaking or giving a speech.
Assorted cupcakes with rainbow pride flags and colorful sprinkles, with glasses of amber-colored drinks in the background.

St Mary-le-Bow has always been a place where people gather to listen, think and talk together.

That continues today through Building Common Ground, our programme of talks and conversations about some of the questions facing the City and wider society. We also mark occasions including Pride and International Women’s Day, welcome interfaith and civic gatherings, and host music and recitals throughout the year.

You do not need to be part of the congregation to take part. You are warmly welcome to attend anything that interests you.

A group of people gathered around a smiling woman with glasses and a striped pink and white shirt, in an outdoor setting with a wall and bulletin board in the background. Others are standing and listening attentively.

Get To Know Us

There are many ways to become part of the life of St Mary-le-Bow. You might join us for worship, come to a talk or recital, explore the Christian faith, or simply come in and say hello! We are always pleased to meet new people and to hear what has brought you here.

Keep In Touch

Three young adults laughing and talking at a social gathering in an indoor art gallery or museum. The woman on the left wears a black leather jacket and sneakers, holding a drink. The man in the middle has reddish hair and wears a beige jacket, also holding a drink. The man on the right is dressed in a black suit and white shirt, also holding a drink. Other people are in the background, and framed photographs are displayed on the wall.