Faith & Fire Discovery Day
Exploring the Science and Faith of the Great Fire of London
Saturday 5th September 2026 12pm-5pm
at St Olave Hart Street, Seething Lane Gardens & All Hallows by the Tower

Explore the Great Fire of London through live fire science demonstrations, history and faith at Samuel Pepys’ church. Free family event.

What can the Great Fire of London still teach us today?

Join us at St Olave Hart Street—Samuel Pepys’ ‘own church’, one of the few to survive the Great Fire — and All Hallows by the Tower, where he watched the flames spread and recorded what he saw, for a unique afternoon bringing together science, history and faith.

Inside both churches, visit exhibitions and activities exploring the science of fire, Samuel Pepys’ eyewitness account, biblical imagery and how the church has interpreted the Great Fire over the centuries. Join us on Seething Lane Gardens, the site of Pepys’ home, for a rolling programme of live fire science demonstrations led by Professor Guillermo Rein and his team from Imperial College London.

Whether you’re fascinated by London’s history, curious about science or interested in faith, this free event offers fresh perspectives on one of the defining moments in our City’s story—and invites us to reflect on resilience, hope, community and our relationship with fire in an age of climate change.

Suitable for adults, families and anyone with an interest in history, science and the role of Samuel Pepys documenting the start, spread and suppression of the Great Fire

Saturday 5 September | 12pm–5pm

Free admission but register at this link for an email reminder.

St Olave Hart Street, 8 Hart Street, City of London, EC3R 7NB www.saintolave.com
All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street, City of London, EC3R 5BJ www.ahbtt.org.uk
Seething Lane Gardens, Seething Lane, City of London, EC3N 4AT

Near Tower Hill (District/Circle Lines), Tower Gateway (DLR) and Fenchurch Street (C2C Mainline) and a short walk from Aldgate, Bank and Liverpool Street.

This event has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Scientists in Congregations Programme run by Equipping Christian Leaders in an Age of Science (ECLAS) and funded by the John Templeton Foundation and with support of the City of London Corporation Gardens Team to whom we are very grateful.