Ground floor plan
Crypt floor plan
Gallery floor plan
The Master Plan
Despite works carried out over the past 40 years, St Anne’s Limehouse is still on Historic England’s register of buildings at risk. Care for St Anne’s is currently raising funds for the installation of a lift, to give access to all levels of the building. This follows the successful fundraising for and careful restoration of the Great East Window.
However, the interior of the church remains largely unrestored and seriously damaged by rainwater penetration from the parapets. Our next efforts will focus on the significant fundraising needed for the renovation of these interior spaces.
Care for St Anne’s had commissioned John Bailey of Thomas Ford and Partners to prepare The Master Plan, which showed how St Anne's could be sensitively modernised to create spaces that meet the needs of the parish and other users.
St Anne's is an outstanding masterpiece of English Baroque architecture, with Ecclesiastical Grade I listing, so plans take account of the historical significance of various parts of the building and minimise harm to fabric and fittings.
Following the withdrawal of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2025, the church is regrouping to consider the best strategy for restoration going forward. This is likely to commence with the installation of a lift, thereafter we will be looking at which parts of the Master Plan will follow, at what pace, and according to our success at fundraising.
Watch this space…
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The Great East Window at St Anne’s is a huge depiction of the Crucifixion. The window is over 150 years old and has been fully restored by The Barley Studio in Yorkshire. We celebrated its return in 2025!
We still need funding for the remainder of the restoration. Donations welcome here.
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We are currently raising the funds for the installation of a lift which will give everyone access to all levels of the building.
The location of the life will be in the south west corner of the church - see plans here
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John Bailey BA, B.Arch, RIBA, AABC
Director, Thomas Ford and PartnersJohn is surveyor of the fabric to Rochester, Wakefield and Guildford Cathedrals as well as Inspecting Architect to many parish churches and is a three times winner of the King of Prussia’s Gold Medal for the repair of historic churches.
He has spent many hours in a boat inspecting the walls of Bodiam Castle and has also worked at The Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Ypres Tower in Rye.
A past president of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association and past Chair of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, John also has a fine singing voice.