St Antholin's Spire, Forest Hill

I've been using Forest Hill library for many years, but it was only this year that I found out about the nearby St Antholin's Spire. This is a church spire without the church!

The original St Antholin's Church was located in Budge Row in the City of London. After it was destoyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, the church was rebuilt on designs by Sir Christopher Wren. It had an octagonal stone spire.

In 1829 the upper part of the spire was replaced. The removed portion, including the dragon's head weather vane, was sold for £5 to Robert Harrild. Harrild was a printer and erected the spire on his property, Round Hill House, where is still remains, surrounded by modern houses.

The spire is Grade II listed by Historic England but its future is unknown.

This Cedar of Lebanon tree is very close to the spire, and once stood in the garden of Harild's grand manor house. The houses later became the Sydenham and Forest Hill Social Club, then was demolished in the 1960s when the townhouses were built.

St. Antholin's Church was demolished in 1874. See Wikipedia entry.

Read more about the spire on Forest Hill Society.

UPDATE 2019 :

The NewsShopper 19 Nov 2019 reported that the spire will be restored.