Ingang van de noordzijde van de St. Bride's Church te Londen before 1889

This anonymous engraving depicts the north entrance of St. Bride’s Church in London, a building with a history deeply entwined with the city's identity. Likely created in the 19th century, it captures a moment in the ongoing story of a church that has been rebuilt several times, most notably by Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of London. The image presents us with more than just architecture. It reflects the social hierarchy inherent in urban planning and religious institutions. The imposing entrance, with its classical pediment and solid columns, speaks to power and permanence, yet it also raises questions about who is welcomed, and who is excluded. Consider the communities that have gathered – or been barred from gathering – within this building. What does it mean to depict a doorway? Is it an invitation or a barrier? And how do such structures shape the flow of daily life, influencing the social dynamics of the city itself?