I’ve walked this area many times, but only recently discovered this place… out of the ordinary.
ST. MARK’S CHURCH
Once upon a time, there was a church…
Built between 1825-1828. With parishioners, services, the Lord, and all the trimmings.
Step by step, the parishioners disappeared. During World War II, the church became, unofficially, the “Americans’ church.”
In the ’70s, it was abandoned. Since then, the building had various “destinations”: it was an information center for the elderly, it hosted London Fashion Week, an antiques market, and all sorts of other events.
In 2006, there was a proposal to transform the church into a health center, but the idea sparked much criticism, so it fell through.
After lying for 30 years on England’s historic buildings at risk register, the church regained its splendor. A two-year restoration costing the Grosvenor family (well, the Grosvenor Group) a nice sum of £5 million restored the church’s heritage features. And, since 2019, it has become Mercato Mayfair – a place where you come to eat, drink, but above all, socialize. (That’s if you find a free spot, as I found, at the beginning of December, a lot of people!)
MERCATO MAYFAIR
I arrive at the church before noon, so there’s nothing to see/eat/drink. The nave and the altar are still closed 🙂 I can only take a tea or a flower from the entrance hall…
I have time to read more about it.
It is open daily from 12:00 PM until 11:00 PM, and on Fridays and Saturdays even until midnight (on Sundays only until 10:30 PM, so the employees can get home quickly to catch a Survivor episode or a Netflix movie)
It’s just struck 12 o’clock.
I’m not among the first to enter, that means others are hungrier than me.
At the entrance, a lady stops me and asks if I have any bottles in my backpack. I have a water bottle, from which I’ve drunk. She keeps it at the entrance. I can get it back when I leave.
If you have a sealed bottle, you can enter with it, but you cannot drink it inside. Well, they want you to consume from the location, not from your own bag.
Although it’s my second time here in three months, I’m glad it’s less crowded now, I can move freely, I can gawk at every food stall, but especially at every detail of the church. This combination might intrigue you! I look like a curious child, amused at times, amazed, sometimes.
I admire the stained glass windows – they are the originals! So are the altar and the organ.
On the way to the altar, I “scan” the stalls on the ground floor. I’m curious about what you could eat in the church.
LUNCH TIME
Folks, come grab some pasta or dumplings and ramen, Neapolitan pizza or Italian ice cream!!! Let’s fill the plates! And stomachs…
As you head towards the altar, there’s a beautiful, somewhat secluded wine bar. And the altar area is flanked by a small brewery and a “gin cocktails” bar. Come on, who’s buying a round?
I try to take the transparent elevator to go upstairs. Out of laziness, but also because I don’t see any stairs.
I find out it’s only for staff use, so I don’t escape the steps.
Upstairs, other offerings make your mouth water:
Seafood, Spanish food, Thai, Malaysian, “made in England” beef, and another bar.
Some restaurants are literally stuck to the stained glass windows, which gives the place a… unique note.
It’s already full! There’s a continuous hustle and bustle, cheerful, relaxed people, I hear English, French, then English again, Spanish, Dutch (I think…). I also hear Romanian. A family looking for a table. Hard now, at lunchtime.
From upstairs, I discover there’s also a small staircase leading to a terrace. I take it, of course 🙂
I reach, practically, a rooftop with access to the bell tower. Will your lobster jump off your plate and your wine from your glass when the bell rings on the hour?…
There are a few tables. While I’m wandering around taking pictures, most of them get occupied, even though it’s cold outside.
I head for the exit. I retrieve my water bottle, greet the lady, and I am about to leave.
Instinctively, I turn and cross myself. I smile. God bless and bon appétit!
PS And I make a video throughout the church, so you can see the uniqueness of the place better:
