The church of St Clement Danes was a church that was designed by Sir Christopher Wren following the ‘Great Fire of London’ in 1666. Although the fire did not reach the church it was in need of great repair, so this was undertaken in 1680 and completed in 1719.
On the night of 10 May 1941, a large-scale Luftwaffe (German Airforce) bombing raid would hit the city. It would become known as the ‘Hardest Night’. The raid took place from 23:02 on 10 May until 05:57 on 11 May. It was the most devasting raid to hit London during the Second World War.
Over 570 sorties were flown by the Luftwaffe on that night with over 700 ton of high explosives dropped onto the city. 86,173 incendiaries were also dropped as part of the raid causing thousands of fires. The London Fire Brigade recorded at least 2,136 fires. On of them was at St Clement Danes Church.
The main body of the church was destroyed by fire. Photographs on the night show the spire of the church ablaze with intense flames coming from each of the distinctive window.
In 1958, the church after being rebuilt was reconsecrated in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It became the Central Church of the Royal Air Force.
On the outside of the church, you will find several memorials to the RAF. To the northern side you will find scars left of the walls from the blitz. These include large areas of damage to the stonework from blasts.
The scars of the blitz are a reminder that on that night alone, on the 10-11 May 1941, thousands of buildings being destroyed or damaged and approximately 1,436 people were killed and 1,800 seriously injured.
The church can be visited by prior appointment.