St. Bride's, London

Situated just off Fleet Street in what was once the heart of English print and newspaper publishing, St. Bride's is famously known as "the journalists' church". Within its walls, a small altar in the north aisle serves as a memorial to honor the growing number of reporters, photographers, and crew members who tragically lost their lives while covering conflicts in the 21st century.

The church is another magnificent example of English Baroque architecture designed by Sir Christopher Wren, completed nine years after the devastating Great Fire of 1666. It is particularly cherished for its distinctively tiered steeple, which happens to be Wren's tallest creation. Interestingly, Benjamin Franklin contributed to its design by introducing a lightning rod. Legend has it that this tiered steeple inspired a baker who was also a parishioner to craft a wedding cake with a similar tiered structure, giving rise to the modern wedding cake design.

Historically, St. Bride's has undergone multiple reconstructions, and this is believed to be the eighth church on this site, with the first one dating back to the 7th century. Evidence supporting this historical legacy, including a portion of a Roman mosaic sidewalk, has been unearthed in the crypt. Visitors can now explore the crypt, which houses numerous archaeological discoveries, including artifacts from thousands of coffins.

For those interested in delving deeper into the church's history and architecture, guided tours lasting ninety minutes are available on Tuesday afternoons, commencing at 2:15 pm. Additionally, St. Bride's hosts regular lunchtime concert recitals that are open to the public at no charge.