Built in the early 20th century on the site of St Olave’s Church in Southwark, this art deco building was originally the headquarters of the Hays Wharf company. There had been a Church on the site since the doomsday book (1086) and it was dedicated to St Olav, Christian King of Norway, who was an ally of King Aethelred against the Danes, It is said that he used his boats to pull down London Bridge to prevent the Danish army using it to cross the Thames in 1014. Olav was martyred in 1030 and it is thought that the church was originally a chapel for Earl Godwin, father of King Harold. Olav was a popular saint at the time and there were 5 churches in the city of London dedicated to him. The original church building continued to stand until the early 18th century, but was in such bad repair that a new church was built in 1737, It was damaged in a fire in 1843 and was finally closed in 1926. The church building was demolished, but the Tower remained for another 2 years before it too was demolished. St Olaf House was built between 1928-30. Hays Wharf closed in 1969 and the house stood empty until it was purchased by the adjacent London Bridge Hospital in 1980.
