[Diocese of London] Situated in the very heart of the Capital, in one of the oldest and narrowest streets in London, is a jewel-like Wren-inspired church that is vibrant and buzzing with life. St Mary Aldermary, is nestling next to modern office buildings located on the ancient roman road, of Watling Street, in the City of London. It has seen generations of Londoners pass its walls having been founded by Benedictine Monks about 900 years ago.

Today, the most recent church building, built in 1682, is found offering sanctuary to busy city workers, weary tourists and those who need to discover and express Christianity in a new way. The space is used as a church offering monastic-style morning and evening prayer, Eucharist, with meditation, Taizé yoga, and a space for those who want to explore and deepen their faith. Alongside the practising church is Host, a café that operates in the exquisite interior, so those who are not practising Christians can still grab a directly traded coffee or a cake, and witness Christian worship in action.

Like many other churches, its Priest Missioner, the Reverend Ian Mobsby, is supported by a team of workers and volunteers, such as Café Co-ordinator and Mission and Evangelism worker, Vanessa Elston, who explains:

"This is a very sacred space, yet people want to know if we are a coffee shop or a church, and are taken aback when they realise that we are both. Host is open to people of all ages and from all walks of life, and that unlike other coffee houses, we do not insist on people buying coffee to stay here, so we are opening up the church as a public ‘third space’ and for everyone - all day and every day."

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