Description
The raised forecourt of Nos. 27 and 28 Queen Street, a pair of fine C18th private houses now used by Gresham Computing Personnel, is on part of the site of the former burial ground of the church of St Thomas-the-Apostle. The church was first recorded in 1170, rebuilt in 1371 but destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666 and not rebuilt. The churchyard remained until 1851 when Queen Street was widened and remains were interred in a vault on the east side. The paved forecourt, accessed by a flight of steps each side, has a large plane tree and shrubbery; a stone plaque relating to the site is set into the front wall.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | St Thomas Apostle Church |
|---|---|
| Site location | 27 & 28 Queen Street/Great St Thomas Apostle Street |
| Postcode | EC4R 1BB |
| What3Words | ///remark.take.rubble |
| Type of Site | Private Garden |
| Borough | City of London |
| Open to Public | No |
| Opening Times | private, but visible |
| Public Transport | Tube: Mansion House (Circle, District) |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2002 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The raised forecourt of Nos. 27 and 28 Queen Street, a pair of fine C18th private houses now used by Gresham College, is on part of the site of the former burial ground of the church of St Thomas the Apostle. St Thomas-the-Apostle was first recorded in 1170, rebuilt in 1371. It was destroyed and not rebuilt in the Great Fire of 1666 and the parish united with that of St Mary Aldermary (q.v.). The churchyard remained until 1851 when Queen Street was widened and remains were interred in a vault on the east side, and there is still a detached burial ground. The forecourt, accessed by a flight of steps each side, is paved with one large plane tree and shrubbery with a stone plaque relating to the site with the names of two church wardens dated 1814 set into the front wall.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ324809 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | Gresham Computer Personnel |
| Site Management | Gresham Computer Personnel |
| Listed Structures | LBII*: Nos. 27 and 28 Queen Street |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | City of London |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Queen Street |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Strategic Viewing Corridor |
Gallery
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Nearby parks and gardens
The Worshipful Company of Skinners were furriers whose first Charter was given in 1327. The site of Skinner's Hall in this location dates from 1409, although rebuilt after the Great Fire and with subsequent alterations. Entered through the Company's fine ceremonial gates on Dowgate Hill, the small Inner Courtyard was originally used for the formation of guild processions. The east elevation of the Banqueting or Great Hall, dating from 1670, faces onto the courtyard, its entrance flanked by embellished pilasters with carved rabbits, whose fur was used by the lower orders in medieval society. The paved courtyard has two C18th water containers planted with flowers, and the stone cloister was added between 1902-16. In 1984-6 a Roof Garden was created above new kitchens, and this is paved, with a fountain, planters and statuary. In addition a terrace at the rear of the Hall also provides outside space.
The Whittington Garden is named after Lord Mayor Richard Whittington, who rebuilt the church of St Michael Paternoster Royal at his own expense in 1409, also founding a college and almshouses. Destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, the church was rebuilt by Wren by 1694. The site of the public garden was on the riverbank in Roman times and later had buildings connected with the fur trade. These were demolished after bomb damage in WWIII and the Corporation of London acquired the site in 1955. The garden was laid out in 1960 with a largely paved area in the west and grass, flower beds and trees in the east. A small fountain was erected in the west section in the late 1960s. The east section is now surrounded by hedge, and remains largely grass, shaded by trees.
St Mary Aldermary is an early church, described by John Stow as 'older than any church of St Mary in the Citie' and Aldermary (the elder Mary) may reflect this. Various additions to the building took place over the years, including partial rebuilding in 1510/11 at the behest of the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Henry Keble. In 1534 one of its rectors, Henry Gold, was executed for his involvement with the 'Holy Maid of Kent'. John Milton married his third wife here in 1662. Damaged in the Great Fire of 1666, the church was rebuilt by Christopher Wren. The former churchyard is now laid out as a small garden with a central tree, three headstones set against the wall among shrubbery and gravestones form a path leading to the west entrance of the church.
