Explore the Great Fire of London through live fire science demonstrations, history & faith at Samuel Pepys' "own church." Free family event

Faith & Fire Activity 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’ and one of the few to survive the Great Fire, for a unique afternoon bringing together science, history and faith.

Experience live fire science demonstrations led by Professor Guillermo Rein and the Hazelab team from Imperial College London on Seething Lane Gardens, the site of Pepys' home. Inside St Olave's and neighbouring All Hallows by the Tower, discover interactive exhibitions exploring the science of fire, Pepys' eyewitness account, biblical imagery, and how the church has interpreted the Great Fire over the centuries.

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 the 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

St Olave Hart Street, 8 Hart Street, City of London, EC3R 7NB

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 is able to take place 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, to whom we are very grateful.

Find out more about the project on the Diocese of London website at this link.

Description supplied by the event organiser.