London, All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street , EC3 5BJ (55)
London Churches
All Hallows by the Tower, is in Byward Street and as its name suggests it’s close by to the Tower of London. It was established in 675 by the Anglo Saxon Abbey at Barking. There was a previous Roman building on the site, evidence of this was been found in the crypt.
It had been rebuilt and expanded a number of times between the 11th and 15th centuries. With its closeness to the Tower it acquired connections, particularly Edward IV, who made one of its chapels a Royal Chantry. Another more gruesome task was the beheaded victims from the Tower generally ended there for temporary burial.
There was a terrific explosion in 1650 (caused by barrels of stored gunpowder in the house of Robert Porter, ship chandler, in Tower Street going up). This resulted in the deaths of 47 persons or more, including Robert Porter and Family, there were quite a few missing and also the destruction of many houses, shops and public houses.
Admiral William Penn, father of William Penn founder of Philadelphia assisted the rescuing the church from The Great Fire of London 1666 by cutting firebreaks by the demolition of many buildings.
The church was again restored, this time in the 19th century. It again was in severe trouble, German bombers had gutted it in the 2nd World War and it wasn’t until 1957 when it was rededicated. The outer wall are 15th century, the arch doorway is Saxon and built in the 7th century, it is the oldest surviving part of the church. There are many brasses inside also there used to be a brass rubbing centre (this is no longer in use). There are 3 wooden statues of saints and a wonderful Baptismal font designed by Grinlin Gibbons. This originally cost £12. In 1999 The AOC Archaeological Group excavated the cemetery and a Roman pavement plus many other artefacts were discovered. A museum call the Undercroft has been set up to accommodate these finds.
It is a place of history, within the church’s registers, an entry for the baptism of William Penn and the marriage of John Quincy Adams, the only marriage of a US president not on US soil. Archbishop William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, advisor to Charles I, was executed by beheading on 10th January 1645 on Tower Hill, was buried in All Hallows for 20 years in a vault in the chapel and was then transferred to the chapel of St. John’s College, Oxford.
Within the South Aisle lays the Mariner’s Chapel, the windows of that part of the church depict the coats of arms of various shipping companies that have association with All Hallows. The wood of the crucifix comes from the Cutty Sark and the ivory figure is reputed to come from the Captain’s cabin of the Spanish Armada’s flagship. Within a wooden case on the south wall is a Memorial Book containing the names of those that died at sea who have no known grave. The models of ships have been presented as tokens of thanksgiving.
London, All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street , EC3 5BJ (55)
London Churches
All Hallows by the Tower, is in Byward Street and as its name suggests it’s close by to the Tower of London. It was established in 675 by the Anglo Saxon Abbey at Barking. There was a previous Roman building on the site, evidence of this was been found in the crypt.
It had been rebuilt and expanded a number of times between the 11th and 15th centuries. With its closeness to the Tower it acquired connections, particularly Edward IV, who made one of its chapels a Royal Chantry. Another more gruesome task was the beheaded victims from the Tower generally ended there for temporary burial.
There was a terrific explosion in 1650 (caused by barrels of stored gunpowder in the house of Robert Porter, ship chandler, in Tower Street going up). This resulted in the deaths of 47 persons or more, including Robert Porter and Family, there were quite a few missing and also the destruction of many houses, shops and public houses.
Admiral William Penn, father of William Penn founder of Philadelphia assisted the rescuing the church from The Great Fire of London 1666 by cutting firebreaks by the demolition of many buildings.
The church was again restored, this time in the 19th century. It again was in severe trouble, German bombers had gutted it in the 2nd World War and it wasn’t until 1957 when it was rededicated. The outer wall are 15th century, the arch doorway is Saxon and built in the 7th century, it is the oldest surviving part of the church. There are many brasses inside also there used to be a brass rubbing centre (this is no longer in use). There are 3 wooden statues of saints and a wonderful Baptismal font designed by Grinlin Gibbons. This originally cost £12. In 1999 The AOC Archaeological Group excavated the cemetery and a Roman pavement plus many other artefacts were discovered. A museum call the Undercroft has been set up to accommodate these finds.
It is a place of history, within the church’s registers, an entry for the baptism of William Penn and the marriage of John Quincy Adams, the only marriage of a US president not on US soil. Archbishop William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, advisor to Charles I, was executed by beheading on 10th January 1645 on Tower Hill, was buried in All Hallows for 20 years in a vault in the chapel and was then transferred to the chapel of St. John’s College, Oxford.
Within the South Aisle lays the Mariner’s Chapel, the windows of that part of the church depict the coats of arms of various shipping companies that have association with All Hallows. The wood of the crucifix comes from the Cutty Sark and the ivory figure is reputed to come from the Captain’s cabin of the Spanish Armada’s flagship. Within a wooden case on the south wall is a Memorial Book containing the names of those that died at sea who have no known grave. The models of ships have been presented as tokens of thanksgiving.