A Change of Scale, Churches in the City of London The churches are on a completely different scale being dominated by these big glass and steal buildings. All built since the deregulation of the City of London in the 1980s. The churches were built after the great fire of 1666. They were built as an institution of local government just as much as a place of worship. I n the 19th century the city depopulated and since the 1980s the interests of international finance firms are effectively the residence of the City of London The towers lean out of the way and avoid the church’s but completely dominate the city. The modern language of odd shaped massive structures are completely discordant with the Baroque spires of the churches. The tradition and history churches seem to give licence of the massive towers to exist and attract international finance.