The Church was built between 1714 – 30 to serve East London’s rapidly expanding 
population.

The church was gutted by fire on Good Friday 1850, and restored between 1851 and 1854 by Philip Hardwick and John Morris, largely to Hawksmoor’s designs. It was further restored by Julian Harrap between 1983 and 1993, when tubular steel trusses were added to support the roof.

A distinctive pyramid, originally planned to be put atop the tower, now stands in the graveyard. 

St Anne’s has the highest church clock in the city and was the first illuminated church clock inthe country. The 60m-high tower is still a ‘Trinity House mark’ for identifying shipping lanes on the Thames and has the rare permission to fly the Royal Navy’s white ensign.

Tubular steel trusses strengthening the roof of the church
(photo credit: Julian Harrap)