Architecture Update: Church recycling

THE 24 Grade I listed City of London churches earmarked for closure by the report of the Templeman Commission, published last month, should be converted into museums or libraries, says the Royal Town Planning Institute. Other alternatives include 'mothballing' the churches (in case, presumably, of a sudden revival of Protestantism), many of which are by Sir Christopher Wren, or turning them into livery halls, an idea favoured by the Diocese of London. The Corporation of London has indicated that it is prepared to be flexible about re-use, seeing the churches' closure as an 'opportunity' rather than a scandal.

The 'redundant' Wren churches cited in the report are: All Hallows, London Wall; St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe; St Andrew Holborn; St Bartholomew-the-Less; St Benet, Paul's Wharf; St Botolph, Bishopsgate; St Botolph, Aldersgate; St Mary Abchurch; St Michael Paternoster Royal; St Stephen Walbrook; St Andrew Undershaft; St Margaret Pattens; St Nicholas Cole Abbey; St Mary-at-Hill; St Edmund, King and Martyr; St Vedast, Foster Lane; St Anne and St Agnes; St Peter Upon Cornhill; St Martin Ludgate; St Mary Aldermanbury; St Michael Cornhill; St Clement Eastcheap; St Sepulchre without Newgate; St Olave Hart Street; St Ethelburga Bishopsgate; St Dunstan-in-the West.