St. Mary's, Harrow on the Hill

St Mary’s stands at the top of Harrow Hill in northwest London, its tall spire visible for miles. The church began in 1087 under Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, and was completed and dedicated in 1094. Most of the original building has gone, but the lower tower remains. By the 12th century the chancel with its lancet windows was finished, followed by the nave and transepts. John Byrkhede, a master builder, became rector in 1437 and oversaw the addition of the clerestory windows, new roofs and the famous spire. The church is worth the journey for its long history and fine craftsmanship. The nave and transept roofs hold 377 carved figures, and the spire carries twelve tons of lead. George Gilbert Scott carried out major restorations in the 1840s, adding a parapet and enlarging the chancel. A three-manual organ built by T.C. Lewis in 1900 stands in the chancel, with later additions by Henry Willis and Rushworth & Dreaper. Thirteen ancient brasses survive, though many are damaged, and a cope made for the church’s 900th anniversary hangs in the north transept. Visitors find a mix of old and new inside the building. The Purbeck marble font and the north transept chest date back to 1200 or earlier. The pulpit, carved in the late 17th century, was installed in 1708. In the nave hangs the brass of John Lyon, founder of Harrow School, beside his grave. The churchyard offers wide views across London, taking in landmarks such as Canary Wharf and Wembley Stadium. A memorial near the Peachey Tomb recalls Lord Byron, who often sat by it as a schoolboy.