The Temple Church
The Temple Church is among the oldest and most beautiful churches in London, being constructed from cream-coloured Caen stone. It was built by the Knights Templar, an order of crusading monks founded in 1118 to protect pilgrims to the Holy Land. The Templars became one of the most powerful orders in Christendom. The Temple was their headquarters in England.
The Round Church was consecrated on 10 February 1185 by Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem.. It was modelled, as were other Knights Templar churches ,on the circular Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the most sacred place of the Holy Land .and so of the whole world.
About half a century after the round church was built a rectangular section was added on the east side. The original circular church building then became the nave, and the later rectangular section the chancel..
The Temple Church
The Temple Church is among the oldest and most beautiful churches in London, being constructed from cream-coloured Caen stone. It was built by the Knights Templar, an order of crusading monks founded in 1118 to protect pilgrims to the Holy Land. The Templars became one of the most powerful orders in Christendom. The Temple was their headquarters in England.
The Round Church was consecrated on 10 February 1185 by Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem.. It was modelled, as were other Knights Templar churches ,on the circular Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the most sacred place of the Holy Land .and so of the whole world.
About half a century after the round church was built a rectangular section was added on the east side. The original circular church building then became the nave, and the later rectangular section the chancel..