Originally published as hbk.: London ; Rio Grande, Ohio : Hambledon Press, c1996.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [373]-377) and index.

"The Great Fire of 1666 devastated the centre of London, with a loss of old St Pauls and eighty-six parish churches. Sir Christopher Wren, working with Commissioners appointed by Parliament, was responsible for rebuilding the cathedral and fifty-one of the parish churches." "Much has been written about Wrens rebuilding of St Pauls, far less about the other City churches, the principal subject of this book: this is indeed the first modern book to examine them as a whole. Paul Jeffery describes how and when the churches were built, exploring the respective contributions of Wren and of his two principal assistants, Robert Hooke and Nicholas Hawksmoor. Working from the surviving drawings and records and from the evidence of the churches, he explains the features common to the churches and their individual characteristics. The result of the work was a unique set of contemporary churches. While not all are of the standard of Wrens masterpieces, such as St Stephen Walbrook and St Bride Fleet Street, none is without architectural merit and interest. The second part of the book is a gazetteer of all the churches, including those that no longer exist." "Since they were built the Wren churches have suffered steady losses. The City Churches of Sir Christopher Wren presents a clear case both for their importance and for their preservation."--BOOK JACKET of the 1996 ed.