Fish
Detail from a south nave window by Charles Blakeman 1953-6 on themes from the Old Testament.
www.stetheldreda.com/index.php/history-of-st-etheldredas/...
St Etheldreda's in Ely Place is one of London's best kept secrets and England's oldest Catholic church (or rather the oldest still used for Catholic worship). Originally the chapel of the palace of the Bishop of Ely (and the only surviving part thereof), the present building dates from 1290 and has had a chequered history since the Reformation, being used again for Catholic worship by the Spanish ambassador in the early 17th century and then, after years of Anglican use and later neglect, finally reverting to Catholic use after being sold in 1873.
The building is rather elusive from without, with only the main east facade visible from the street between the later facades of Ely Place. Within however the late 13th century design and detail is clear, making this a unusually complete example of a Decorated Gothic chapel. The wooden roof is the original design though much restored. It is accessed from a cloister passageway along the south wall which leads to both the 'upper church' and crypt below.
The interior is rather dark and takes some time to adjust to, but is adorned with a sumptuous set of stained glass windows dating from the postwar restoration in the 1950s (a previous set by a noted artist was sadly lost). The east window is a stunning work by Edward Nuttgens, whilst the remainder of the windows are the work of Charles Blakeman, including the west window on the theme of the English Martyrs, who are also commemorated by sculptures around the chapel.
St Etheldreda's is normally open for visitors and private prayer most days from 8am-5pm. For a more detailed history see the church's website below:-
www.stetheldreda.com/index.php/history-of-st-etheldredas/
Fish
Detail from a south nave window by Charles Blakeman 1953-6 on themes from the Old Testament.
www.stetheldreda.com/index.php/history-of-st-etheldredas/...
St Etheldreda's in Ely Place is one of London's best kept secrets and England's oldest Catholic church (or rather the oldest still used for Catholic worship). Originally the chapel of the palace of the Bishop of Ely (and the only surviving part thereof), the present building dates from 1290 and has had a chequered history since the Reformation, being used again for Catholic worship by the Spanish ambassador in the early 17th century and then, after years of Anglican use and later neglect, finally reverting to Catholic use after being sold in 1873.
The building is rather elusive from without, with only the main east facade visible from the street between the later facades of Ely Place. Within however the late 13th century design and detail is clear, making this a unusually complete example of a Decorated Gothic chapel. The wooden roof is the original design though much restored. It is accessed from a cloister passageway along the south wall which leads to both the 'upper church' and crypt below.
The interior is rather dark and takes some time to adjust to, but is adorned with a sumptuous set of stained glass windows dating from the postwar restoration in the 1950s (a previous set by a noted artist was sadly lost). The east window is a stunning work by Edward Nuttgens, whilst the remainder of the windows are the work of Charles Blakeman, including the west window on the theme of the English Martyrs, who are also commemorated by sculptures around the chapel.
St Etheldreda's is normally open for visitors and private prayer most days from 8am-5pm. For a more detailed history see the church's website below:-
www.stetheldreda.com/index.php/history-of-st-etheldredas/