That the many churches in the City are easier to view at weekends, yet only a few are open on Sunday for services, puzzles those who have come to look around at the sights that the City has to offer. It is a fact that the City is a hubbub of activity during the weekdays and this activity is now spreading into the evening, reflected by the later opening hours of some of the shops within the City.

All churches see the need to serve the community in which they are placed and the 300,000 plus workers who flock into the Square Mile to work at the heart of commerce have spiritual needs as well as more mundane material needs. City churches are always working towards providing havens for those in the hurly-burly of work, providing spiritual nourishment, individual support and relaxing recreation. Many have well-supported lectures and recitals at lunchtime, as detailed in the main part of City Events. There are also regular lunchtime services of all traditions for those who wish to travel faithfully through the season of Lent now with us. As the commuters return to their own homes at the weekend, only a few of the City churches have regular Sunday services. Some that do, provide for City residents, and others have a special appeal because of the standard of their music, preaching or mission.

But the bustling activity in the weekdays does make life rather difficult for those who like to admire the architecture of our splendid churches. Try looking intently at the dragon on the weathervane on top of St Mary le Bow from the pavement in Cheapside or the statue of Queen Elizabeth on the wall of St Dunstan in the West – in the way of other pedestrians hurrying about their tasks or obscured by buses and delivery lorries. A visit to the City at the weekend, then, is a real pleasure. Now you can admire the baroque splendour of St Martin Ludgate or the fortress-like bulk of St Mary Woolnoth without let or hindrance. Saunter down Bow Lane to admire the soaring tower of St Mary Aldermary and the plaque to St Antolin on its south wall. But do not expect to be able to go inside. Pressures of cost and personnel presently prohibit this.

We are proud that the Friends of the City Churches, via its church watcher scheme, allows weekday visitors to gain entry into some special churches that would otherwise remain closed. Church watchers work in pairs and are delighted to give visitors information about the church: over 60 of our members contribute actively to the Friends in this way. If you wish to support our work, do get in touch with our office and pencil in your diary the dates of this year’s City Churches Walks when all the City churches are open and trained guides are available to take you round some real treasures of interiors: Tuesday and Wednesday 8th and 9th June.

Friends of the City Churches, St Magnus the Martyr, Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6DN tel 020 7626 1555

e-mail      www.london-city-churches.org.uk