In 1559 this half timbered house was built above the original west door of the nave of St Bartholomew the Great church. Walk through the gateway and you will see the oldest surviving parish church in London.
It was founded in 1123 as an Augustinian Priory and although only a small part of the original 12th Cent church remains it is
a wonderful medieval church that escaped both the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the bombs of WW2. It has been the setting for films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and is one of the best examples of Norman architecture in London. Follow me in and see what you think.
This is the tomb of the founder of the church, Rahere. He founded the church in 1123 as part of a priory. Rehere was a jester at the court of Henry I, son of William the Conqueror. Whilst on a pilgramage to Rome, Rahere was taken ill with Malaria. He was so ill that he had hallucinations and believed that St Bartholomew appeared before him and saved him. When he recovered he became an Augustinian monk. He founded a priory and a hospital on this site. St Bartholomew's hospital or Bart's as it is known is one of the oldest hospitals in the world, having cared for the sick for 900 years. The priory contained a large church, St Bartholomew the Great. The priory and church were funded with the proceeds from the Bartholomew Fair,one of London's largest annual fairs.
This is the tomb of Walter Mildmay and his wife Mary. He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer for Queen Elizabeth I. She died in 1576 and he died in 1580.
The martyrdom of St Bartholomew by Damien Hirst. (24 carat gilded bronze)
Wow! Stunning and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYes, it does seem familiar from that movie.
Very cool. I love old buildings like this.
ReplyDeleteSuch age and still in such fine shape. Some churches in Europe seem so uplifting but I find English churches always so serious, as if saying, this buliding is about religion and there is no place for any joy here.
ReplyDeleteAll churches are like this, I have never seen a joyful church, with Jesus hanging on the cross, it's not very cheerful ! That's why I like gospel songs in a church at least it cheers me up !
DeleteA well hidden church ! and nicely preserved !
ReplyDeleteI would love to see that in person.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at the history you provide with these posts. Just to think of something built so long ago is still around just boggles my mind. Something first built in the 1100s -- wow! Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteWas it the funeral scene that was filmed there?
ReplyDeleteThe little wooden gateway is kind of gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteFascinating story about St. Bart's...and I am thrilled by the photos to the point of goosebumps. To a Canadian it all seems impossible, Canada so young and England so old. Thank you so much for these fabulous photos.
ReplyDeleteKay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
An historic and beautiful place. I've never been sure what exactly a priory is/was. I get shakes thinking about seeing and walking in something as old as this. (We are not only from the "new world" but also from the Pacific Northwest, one of the newer to be settled (by Europeans anyway). So yeah, goosebumps.
ReplyDeleteAmazing and fantastic that it managed to stand through all those disasters. I have read about this church - wonderful to see your photos.
ReplyDeleteThat is an old one. Didn’t know what to expect from the first photo.
ReplyDeleteCruising Rhine now. We are on a canal from Amsterdam to connect to Rhine River. Next stop Cologne tomorrow afternoon.
It is really hidden, unless and until you know you'll overlook the church. This is the charm of old places,it is just like treasure hunt..
ReplyDeleteWow - what a hidden treasure!
ReplyDeleteWhat history ~ great post and photos! intriguing!
ReplyDeleteHappy Days to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
That is a beautiful old church. I feel that I "traveled" with you and found this historical treasure.
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are beautiful!
Wow! It's amazing that the church has stood up for so long. It looks brand new. I hope the people who built it were proud of their craftsmanship. And that story of the founder was interesting, from jester to monk. Thanks for sharing your visit. I doubt I would've come to know about this otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIncredible architecture. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
What a great story, a court jester becoming a monk and erecting such an amazing church that's still standing after all these years. And then someone building a house on top of the entry door!
ReplyDeleteThat is so old!!So great that it still stands. My brother took me there when we visited him in London many years ago. You have jogged my memory.
ReplyDeleteWonderful old building and lovely details.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful artistry in the building
ReplyDelete