st.anne's church, limehouse, london

this is the first time I've seen these doors open to the public, and I've passed by countless times over the last 30 years. every request for access was turned down: only christians at services were welcome, and no photography allowed despite the millions in grants taken over the years. now the internal state is such that even more public funds are needed, so for the first time for twenty years or more the public was admitted on open house day. hawksmoor built a wonderful church in 1714-25, but its current guardians leave a lot to be desired. they appear to be extreme evangelicals and one wonders whether they wouldn't be happier really in some modern hall somewhere, having pushed the pulpit into a corner under the gallery where it can't be used, and hung a white projection screen in front of the reredos ; giving the impression that this gloriously baroque church is somewhat at odds with their type of religion.