St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe
St Mary’s Church, Rotherhithe is the local Church of England parish church in Rotherhithe, southeast London. It is in the Diocese of Southwark and follows Anglo-Catholic worship. The church stands on St Marychurch Street near the River Thames. A church has stood on this site since at least 1282, and when the tower was underpinned in 1913, Roman bricks were found, suggesting even earlier buildings.
The current building was rebuilt in 1714–15 to a design by John James, a leading architect of his day. The tower was completed in 1747 by Lancelot Dowbiggin. Since then the exterior has remained much the same.
Inside, the church has strong maritime connections. It houses a pipe organ dating from 1764 built by John Byfield II. Some timber from the ship Temeraire was used to make the communion table in the Lady Chapel and two bishop’s chairs. The Temeraire’s final voyage was famously painted by Turner. The church also contains memorials to Christopher Jones, captain of the Mayflower; Prince Lee Boo of Palau; and Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Teddeman.
In 1996–1999 the bells were restored and re-hung, and the spire repaired. The bells are rung by the Docklands Ringing Centre. St Mary’s remains a living church serving a broad community. It cannot ordain women and receives alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Fulham (Jonathan Baker).
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:16 (CET).