London City Mission (LCM) is a Christian organization that has been serving the poor and marginalized people of London since 1835. LCM’s mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are least reached, and to demonstrate God’s love and compassion in practical ways.
London City Mission: A Witness of Faith and Hope in WW2
One of the most challenging periods in LCM’s history was during World War Two (WW2), when London was under constant attack from German bombs. In this blog post, we will explore how LCM survived and continued its ministry in Bridewell Place, one of its main headquarters, during the 1940s.
The Palace of Bridewell
It was once the location of a palace built by King Henry VIII in 1522, which he later gave to the City of London as a hospital and prison for vagrants and beggars. The palace was named Bridewell after a nearby well dedicated to St Bride.
Bridewell Place was a historic site in the heart of London, near St Paul’s Cathedral, a “stately and beautiful” palace of red Tudor brick inset with the characteristic diaper patterns in black, as at Hampton Court. In setting Act 3 of his play, “King Henry VIII,” at the Palace of Bridewell, William Shakespeare was historically correct.
In 1860, LCM acquired part of the former palace site and built a large red-brick building that served as its central office, training school, printing press, bookshop, and meeting hall. The building had a distinctive tower with a clock and a bell that rang every hour.
The Blitz
On September 7th, 1940, Germany launched its first major air raid on London, targeting docks, factories, railways, and other strategic targets. This marked the beginning of the Blitz, a sustained bombing campaign that lasted until May 1941. During this time, London was bombed almost every night by hundreds of German planes.
The Blitz caused widespread devastation and death in London. More than 40,000 civilians were killed and over one million homes were damaged or destroyed. Many historic buildings were also hit by bombs or firebombs, including St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the Houses of Parliament.
LCM’s Bridewell Place building was not spared from the bombing either. On December 29th, 1940, a firebomb landed on its roof and set it ablaze. Two top floors were destroyed and the rest of the building had to be demolished later. Fortunately, LCM managed to save its records and some valuable books from the fire. The staff also rescued the bell from the tower before it collapsed.
The Ministry Continues
Despite losing their headquarters, LCM did not give up on their ministry. They found temporary offices elsewhere and continued to print their monthly magazine, The Missionary Echo, which reported on their work among various groups of people, such as soldiers, prisoners, Jews, Muslims, and children. LCM also maintained their presence in Bridewell Place by erecting a wooden hut on the site of their former building.
The hut served as a chapel where they held services every Sunday for anyone who wanted to join them. They also used it as a distribution centre for food parcels, clothing, blankets, and Bibles for those who were homeless or needy because of the war. LCM’s hut became a symbol of faith and hope in the midst of destruction and despair. Many people were drawn to it by curiosity or gratitude, and some heard the gospel message for the first time there. One visitor wrote:
“I came across your hut quite by accident one Sunday morning when I was feeling very low … I went inside and found such warmth and friendliness that I stayed for your service … I have been coming ever since … You have given me something to live for.”
The Legacy
After WW2 ended in 1945, London began to rebuild itself from the ashes. LCM also rebuilt their headquarters on Bridewell Place, but this time they chose a more modern design that reflected their vision for the future. The new building was opened in 1951 by Queen Elizabeth II, who praised LCM for their “splendid work” among “all sorts and conditions” of people.
Today, LCM still operates from Bridewell Place, as well as other locations across London. They continue to reach out to those who are marginalized, oppressed, or unreached by traditional churches.
Images from East London showing the destruction from German bombs during World War Two. Images scanned from a genuine copy of The London Evening news magazine, handed down to me from my grandfather.
Apologies if this is a duplicate missed the anti spam first time. My family and I have been holidaying in the Isle Of Dogs for about the last 4 years or so, brilliant place. We recently discovered Masthouse Terrace and the connection with Brunel and the Great Eastern-bit disappointed with signs though-my wife did contact local museum but sadly didnt get a response. Hope to go again in summer or earlier if possible. Brought up in South London (Battersea the Tooting)but now in Norfolk.
Hello Bob, thanks for your comment. We do seem to have this love/hate relationship with engineering and industry. My pet hate is what became of the famous motor racing circuit at Brooklands in Surrey. Now a massive retail park with only a fraction of the original banked track remaining. East London is the same in places. Lots of reference to Canary Wharf and big business, not so much reference to the man on the street who built the industry.
Enjoy Norfolk, lovely county.