Benjamin Franklin Makes First Trip to London

Believing he was being bankrolled by Pennsylvania’s governor, Franklin sailed to England aboard the London Hope.

In London, his hopes were dashed when Gov. Keith’s support disappeared. Franklin found work in the printing trade and enjoyed the intellectual and artistic pleasures of London until he returned to Philadelphia in 1726.

The Lady Chapel at the east end had been previously used for commercial purposes and it was there that Benjamin Franklin served a year as journeyman printer. The north transept had formerly been used as blacksmith's forge. The church was one of relatively few City churches to escape damage during the Second World War. Having been much used, abused and restored over the years the building now presents an interesting and impressive collection of architectures.