Rebuilding Cathedrals . . . and Lives

Architect Christopher Wren established his reputation as he redesigned dozens of churches in London following the “Great Fire of 1666.”

The fire destroyed 80 percent of the city’s structures, including more than 13,000 houses and nearly 90 churches. Wren submitted plans for revamping the entire city, but King Charles II felt Wren’s plans were too expensive. So the king appointed Wren to redesign the city’s churches and gave other rebuilding assignments to other designers.

By one estimate, Wren guided the rebuilding of 51 church buildings in London. This included Wren’s most famous structure: the rebuilt St. Paul’s Cathedral, which he worked on for 35 years. He is buried in the cathedral.

St. Paul, the apostle who is credited with writing approximately half the books of the New Testament, is the patron saint of London. The first church in the city named in his honor, built in A. D. 604, burned down in A. D. 1087. A second structure was then built on the site. 

The present-day St. Paul’s, as rebuilt by Wren, is 360 feet tall. Its dome, which is a conspicuous element in the London skyline, is the second largest dome in the world. Only St. Peter’s in Rome is bigger.

St. Paul’s was opened for the public on this date, December 2, in 1697, though the rebuilding was not complete at the time. 

Wren was born in 1632 and lived past his 90th birthday, dying in 1723. During the reconstruction of St. Paul’s, Wren faced great personal tragedy. He was twice married, and both his wives lived only a few years after their marriages. His marriage to Faith Coghill lasted only six years. She died, leaving two children. Wren’s second wife, Jane Fitzwilliam, also bore two children, and she died after two years of marriage.

The church building is a monument to Wren’s work, as well as a focal point for Christian worship.

As a church, St. Paul’s draws large numbers of worshippers throughout the year.  As a landmark, it also draws large numbers of tourists.

Wren’s tomb has a marker with a Latin inscription, translated to read: “Reader, if you seek his memorial look all around you.”

Every Christian church building---from the clapboard structure at the country crossroads to St. Paul’s and St. Peter’s---is a monument to the work of Jesus, who founded the Christian church through his crucifixion and resurrection. 

The Advent season celebrates One whose coming would rebuild lives, not merely buildings.

A Verse for Today:

Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not 

prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18 KJV).

Each day through New Year’s Day, January 1, 2013, daily inspirational thoughts will appear on this website, in keeping with Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  These are from my book, Reflections for the Festive Seasons.  © 2002.  All rights reserved.