What to do with a spare hour in London when you right by the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand? Visit the Temple the Church, of course. You duck down a narrow alleyway and immediately the traffic filled hurly burly of London is left behind, you are in a world of narrow paths, seemingly unchanged for centuries.
The Temple Church is one of oldest places of worship in London, it was consecrated in 1215 and built to be the headquarters of the Knights Templar in England. The oldest part of the church is round, as were all the Templar churches, this is because the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem where it is believed Jesus is buried is circular.
The effigies of nine knights lie on the floor. They have their eyes open and are all depicted as being in the early thirties, the age of Christ when he died. These are not memorials but rather a reminder that the Knights are ready to spring into action again when Christ rises again.
About fifty years later the rectangular chancel was built. King John used the Temple Church as his London headquarters in months leading up to the signing of Magna Carta and it was here that the document was signed.
In one corner of the church I spied a spiral staircase which, it turned out, lead up to the gallery overlooking the round church and gives a fine view of the nine knights.
The area around the Temple Church is a fascinating place to wander around and is also home to Middle Temple Hall which you can also visit. If visiting the Templar Church has whetted your appetite for all things chivalrous the Museum of the Order of St John is also open to the public.
Temple Church Opening Times
Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
Temple Church is a working church and has regular services during which visits are not possible. The church has a fine choir which sings both at the services and at concerts. Music plays a large part in the life of the church, every Wednesday lunch time there is an organ recital and many concerts are held in the church.
Admission is £5
PIN FOR LATER
A bargain fir £5 and so much to discover.
It’s hard to imagine a church that old and I love the knights, great angle for the shot as well. A nice photo set with some creative photography.
Author
Thank you, one of my first outings with my new grown up camera still not sure what any of the settings mean
Hi Catherine, that is an old church! Places like that give me goosebumps when I think of the things that must have gone on there. Love the story of the knights.
xx
I may very well have to pay a visit to temple Church. Your photos do it incredible justice and while I have been in the are many times, never quite made it inside. It is also quite a bit cheaper than visiting St Paul’s! What history the building has.
This looks amazing! Just imagine all the people who have walked there before you. It’s mind blowing. Love the shot of the knights from above.
This looks stunning, I’ve never visited here before. I think this is a trip for the Summer
Have a good Sunday and thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
I love how you discover all these places and they’re usually off a very busy area. That ceiling is so stunning!
Author
Incurably curious, that’s me!
A beautiful and fascinating church. I have read several books about the Knights – it fascinates me.
Author
Its a story that has it all chivalry, power, secrets and intrigue!
I wandered randomly into here while killing time on a work trip into London years ago. It’s a lovely church – I wonder if I can find it again?
Author
Make sure that leave a trail of thread so you can find your way back to the Strand!
What a beautiful old building.
What a magnificent building. I do enjoy learning more about the Templar knights. So fascinating.
It looks like a lovely church with plenty of interesting history.
Beautiful! I have only ever walked past countless times, never been in! 🙂
Author
Well worth the diversion!
What a lovely little church to spend an hour! #CityTripping
I love this church! My cousin got married there #citytripping
This looks so interesting! I’ve been living in London for many many years and I’m still to visit this church. Putting it on the top of my list! 🙂
Author
Very instagrammable!
The history of the Templars is fascinating- and yet somehow I have never been to the Temple church… Something to rectify sooner rather later. #farawayfiles
Author
All the narrow alleyways surrounding the church make for an atmospheric outing!
I love the thinking behind the statues of the knights with their eyes wide open. I hadn’t appreciated that the Magna Carta was signed here either. I’ll have to pop in when I’m next on the Strand. Thanks for opening my eyes on #FarawayFiles
Author
It is the perfect antidote to the bustle of the Strand
You always share the most fascinating places! With so much history I would think a visit to this place would evoke some serious feelings of the people who once walked there. #farawayfiles
Love this little bit of history, thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles!