Thread: Interesting London Churches Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by simwel (# 12214) on :
 
Due to a number of meetings in London I have some afternoons free in London over the next few weeks. I do not know London very well and would welcome suggestions as to churches that have interesting aspects such as pastoral activity such as St Martin's in the fields or political such as St James Piccadilly,or liturgical such as St Silas Holborn, or architectural such as St Paul's.Naturally the churches need to be opened in central London
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
How about looking in on a church I visited when in London, the St. Ethelburga Centre. I was expecting a 'normal' London city church but was surprised to find a centre for conflict resolution.
 
Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :
 
It became a centre for reconciliation after being badly damaged by an IRA bomb in 1993.

I lived several miles away at the time, but I heard it go off!
 
Posted by Heavenly Anarchist (# 13313) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
It became a centre for reconciliation after being badly damaged by an IRA bomb in 1993.

I lived several miles away at the time, but I heard it go off!
Yes, I heard it go off too, I was living near Old Street station and it shook the windows of the nurses' home. The bomb also caused further damage to St Helen's Bishopsgate opposite, which had already been badly damaged by the Baltic Exchange bomb the year before (and which the rector was lucky to survive).
 
Posted by Dafyd (# 5549) on :
 
Jenkins' Thousand Best Churches gives four stars for architectural, artistic, and historical interest to:
St Mary Woolnoth (City)
St Stephen Walbrook (City)
All Saints Margaret Street (West End)
St Augustine Kilburn (Westminster)
St Mary-le-Strand (West End)
Christ Church Spitalfields
St Mary Sloane Street
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
If cathedrals count, then Westminster Cathedral (RC) for the stunning (and very sparkly) mosaics.
 
Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Still with cathedrals, if you want to do Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's and you're free at the right time of day, Choral Evensong is very uplifting, and if you're going in for a service you don't have to pay the (rather exorbitant) entrance fee. Both have excellent choirs.

[ 17. February 2014, 01:51: Message edited by: piglet ]
 
Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Oddly, I was in two of the kirks mentioned in the OP just this week. I wandered round the little craft market outside St James - but didn't realise it was the one with the Grinling Gibbons carvings until I went in as much for a chance of a sit-down as anything.

As Chorister says, the entrance fee for St Paul's (even with Old Dear discount) is steep. But I'll concede the audio guide is good quality, and there is certainly enough to occupy a couple of hours.
 
Posted by Vulpior (# 12744) on :
 
St Stephen Walbrook, definitely. A Wren church, a Moore marble altar, birthplace of the Samaritans and parish church of The Lord Mayor of London.
 
Posted by Chamois (# 16204) on :
 
Originally posted by Dafyd:
quote:
St Augustine Kilburn (Westminster)
St Augustine is in the borough of Westminster but it's a heck of a long way from central London (it's in Travelcard Zone 2). I agree it's a spectacular church but a) being a parish church rather than a "tourist" church it's not likely to be open, and b) it's quite difficult to find and it's in a not particularly salubrious area.

If you're anywhere near Kilburn in mid-August St Augustine's does a spectacular, completely over-the-top-and-out-of-sight Assumption of the Virgin Mary (aka Lady Day in Harvest).
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
It depends on how much time you've got
 
Posted by TheAlethiophile (# 16870) on :
 
I sometimes go to All Souls, Langham Place for their Thursday lunchtime services. It's at the top of Regent Street, nearest tube stop is Oxford Circus.

If you're a bit further over in the West End, there's a Swiss church at the top of Endell Street.
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
St Paul's Knightsbridge has a low mass on weekday evenings (6pm) and a Wednesday Evening Service (6:45pm)
This site was blocked by my firewall as "malicious" (and I was unable to access it) so please go carefully if you access this link. It may be a false alarm, but better safe than sorry.
 
Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :
 
Temple
One of the most unusual church visits (tour not service) of my LIFE
 
Posted by Kyzyl (# 374) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ariel:
quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
St Paul's Knightsbridge has a low mass on weekday evenings (6pm) and a Wednesday Evening Service (6:45pm)
This site was blocked by my firewall as "malicious" (and I was unable to access it) so please go carefully if you access this link. It may be a false alarm, but better safe than sorry.
It may be a false alarm. I was able to access it and had no malware, etc... loaded.
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
There are a number of City Churches, and those along Fleet Street, which do lunchtime concerts. And sometimes lunchtime Eucharists. That way you get to look around beautiful churches and also hear some beautiful music / see the church in action as a living church, not just the building.

I agree that Temple church is well worth visiting (you can see the Knight's Tombs if you arrive in plenty of time for an organ recital; otherwise the church is often locked). Another interesting church is St. Bride's - which has the 'wedding cake' tower.

Details of the many concerts, services and times of opening, in the city churches can be found here.
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
London is full of churches, some well known, some not, some visible, some well hidden. Notre Dame de France, Leicester Place, off Leicester Square, is one such that's easy to pass by. Built for the French Catholic community in London and as soon as you walk in, you feel you're somewhere else.

If you want old-fashioned grandeur, the Brompton Oratory (South Kensington: it's where Diana used to go) and St James in Spanish Place (Westminster) are places you should visit.

Not central, but further out east, I second the recommendation for St Bride's in Fleet St. This is the journalists' church and has a very long and ancient history. There are many tributes to journalists who've been killed in the course of their job, and the display of lighted candles and current prayers is quite moving. The crypt has part of a Roman wall in it, and they hold services there. There's an extremely tiny Lady Chapel in the crypt, which seats two people. There's a holy well, left over from pagan days, which you can't access, but you'll hear the running water.

Also in the same area and one you shouldn't miss is the Temple Church that someone mentioned earlier. It's restricted access so you may not be able to get in during the week, but it's one of the very few remaining round churches and has Templar graves, with effigies.

St Dunstan's in the East isn't central, being in the City (and City churches are worth a thread in their own right), but worth a look: bombed during the war, it was never rebuilt but turned into a verdant garden with seats among the remains of the walls and gothic arches, and is a beautiful oasis amid the tall City buildings.
 
Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :
 
http://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/

That is the church near me where I always belong and attend. It's quite a good one and has all sorts of people there. We have both women and men priests. Also there is much done to teach children and always they come and explain what they have learned and painted and we clap at them every day at towards the end of the service.
 
Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Crown Court has a mid week service on a Thursday Lunch time. It has an interesting history.

Jengie
 
Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :
 
I love Crown Court Church as I've gone there quite often on the Thursday as well as the Sundays, usually on the evening. They have what I believe, is the best one who preaches and talks about what comes from the Bible, as well as good music and singing and prayers. My parents belonged in it when they came to London.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by daisymay:
http://www.stjohns-hydepark.com/

That is the church near me where I always belong and attend. It's quite a good one and has all sorts of people there. We have both women and men priests. Also there is much done to teach children and always they come and explain what they have learned and painted and we clap at them every day at towards the end of the service.
I second that. One of our former ordinands is now curate there. Good music, sensible catholic tradition and intelligent preaching.
 
Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :
 
There's the RAF church on the Strand and the actor's church (St Paul's?) in Covent Garden as well if you're after churches with interesting connections/activities.

And St Anne's in Soho I think has a particular community.
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
St Anne's Soho is one of the tiniest churches in London. I was amazed at how small it was.

Yes, it is St Paul's in Covent Garden that's the actors' church. With garden attached, but with the whole of Covent Garden and the street performers just outside, it's hard to remain focused in this church. Though YMMV.
 
Posted by Penny S (# 14768) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Yangtze:
There's the RAF church on the Strand and the actor's church (St Paul's?) in Covent Garden as well if you're after churches with interesting connections/activities.

And St Anne's in Soho I think has a particular community.
The actor's church links with this month's book!
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
The RAF Church is St Clement Danes.

The 'Danes' in the title refers to the original church having been founded by Danes who converted to Christianity in the time of King Alfred because they wished to remain in London, which was on the border between the lands held by Alfred and those under Danelaw. The choice of St Clement is obvious since he is the patron saint of sailors.

Although people assume this is the church referred to in the nursery rhyme 'Oranges and Lemons' this isn't so.

The church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who built St Paul's Cathedral.
 
Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:

The church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who built St Paul's Cathedral.
I had an idea that he was more design-side on St P's as well.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Sorry Firenze - I used 'built' as a general term: of course Wren was an architect.
 
Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
I'll second St Pauls in Covent Garden. Fascinating benches outside as well.

And will highlight St Martin in the Fields for another reason entirely: if caught in a downpour, one's trousers can be dried in less than an hour with their fabulous heating. Just remember to sit on the side facing benches for maximum effect.
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ethne Alba:
And will highlight St Martin in the Fields for another reason entirely: if caught in a downpour, one's trousers can be dried in less than an hour with their fabulous heating. Just remember to sit on the side facing benches for maximum effect.
Last time I was in there, the side-facing benches were occupied by homeless men, mostly crashed out and snoring. Things may have changed, of course, but I wasn't inclined to linger.
 
Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
There are now guidelines, very politely enforced as well. These stipulate that one is not allowed to sleep or smell when in church. I kid you not, up there on the board by the door.

So on that basis I was quite happy to slowly steam dry while a few interesting people sat in the next alcoves along. Everyone was very well behaved, happily watching what looked like preparations for a service.

It's a great place to sit and contemplate......which means that I am always even more likely to leave a generous offering when I finally slope off and/or visit their café/ bookshop.


[tangent: certainly they were more welcoming than the Portrait Gallery nearby]
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
The Crypt at St Martins in the Fields is one of the better places to stop and eat in Central London
 
Posted by Ethne Alba (# 5804) on :
 
St Katharine Cree is a most amazing church building. Well worth going to their midweek communion service (Thurs) and as there's a sandwich lunch afterwards, maybe no one will mind you mooching round with a camera?
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
All Saints Margaret Street. Well worth seeking out whether you are a card-carrying Anglo-catholic, an aficionado of Victorian architecture, or just in search of a haven from the bustle of Oxford Street. It is always open (during the day at least); there is often a Mass at lunchtime or early evening; and it's good just to sit down and marvel at just how much William Butterfield (the architect) crammed into such a tiny site.

Southwark Cathedral is my favourite C of E cathedral. It's fairly central, being adjacent to the south end of London Bridge, and both the building and the personnel are warm and welcoming. Again, the contrast between the bustle of London (trains grind past the windows on the high level viaduct every few seconds) and the peace of the interior is striking. A similar contrast is the case with St Mary-le-Strand, on a traffic island in one of the busiest streets of London. A baroque gem which could have been flown in from Rome.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
The Queen's Chapel of the Savoy: the only surviving remnant of the great hospital for the 'poor and needy' built by Henry VII on the site of John of Gaunt's old Savoy Palace.

Open (I think) Monday to Thursday c10-4 plus on Sundays - service at 11am.
 
Posted by M. (# 3291) on :
 
I like All Hallows by the Tower , particularly the cafe. I often stop for lunch there if I've been to a meeting over that way.

Has anyone mentioned St Barts? which is pre-Reformation and has a little garden in front and is just in an interesting area - St Barts hospital, the King's Wardrobe.

And St Lawrence Jewry , the guild church, is also interesting and right next to the Guildhall.

M.
 
Posted by Rosa Gallica officinalis (# 3886) on :
 
I know very little about it but for unusual pastoral practice St Marylebone parish church has a significant emphasis on health and healing ministry, with an NHS health centre located within the church.
 
Posted by Edith (# 16978) on :
 
If you're prepared to take the Clipper to Greenwich visit St Alphage's. Designed by Hawksmore it is the burial place of Thomas Tallis. Henry VIII and Elizabeth I were baptised on the church which preceded the present one and St Alphage himself an early ABC was boned to death by Vikings. There are stained glass windows commemorating all the great and good who had connections to the church. A short stroll away is the Royal Naval College Chapel which is lovely. The music in both places is excellent.
 
Posted by Anglican't (# 15292) on :
 
I second St Alphage's. It's also where General Wolfe is buried (if you're into Canadian history). Can't believe he was only 32.
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Anglican't:
I second St Alphage's. It's also where General Wolfe is buried (if you're into Canadian history). Can't believe he was only 32.
And for other sorts of North Americans, its only a short train journey from Gravesend, where Pocahontas is buried.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
St Pancras Old Church

Not to be confused with the neo-classical porticoed pile on Euston Road, this is much older.

Mary Woolstonecraft and Sr John Soane are buried there, and Thomas Hardy used to be its surveyor.

AC worship.
 
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on :
 
Has anyone mentioned St Vedast Foster Lane, just opposite the East End of St Paul's? A Wren church reordered rather nicely by Stephen Dykes Bowers after gutting in the Blitz with collegiate seating.
 
Posted by Sandemaniac (# 12829) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Edith:
St Alphage himself an early ABC was boned to death by Vikings.
All I will say is that I'm very glad I looked him up! [Snigger]

AG
 


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