GreaterLondonCITYOFLONDONTempleChurch(stusmithCC-BY-ND2.0)1 StuSmith

Temple Church

Welcome to the historic and beautiful Temple Church, built by the Knights Templar, the soldier monks who protected pilgrims to the Holy Land during the Crusades.

City of London, Greater London

Oriau agor

Monday to Fridays 10am to 4pm.
Services are listed on our website.

Cyfeiriad

Temple
City of London
Greater London
EC4Y 7BB

Medieval architecture meets Wren’s refurbishments in this inspiring building, the Mother Church of the Common Law. The Magna Carta exhibit has William Marshal and King John where they would have debated and agreed clauses of Magna Carta. The round church is modelled on the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. In 1608 King James I gave the whole area of the Temple to the two societies of lawyers, Inner and Middle Temple, who have maintained the church beautifully to the present day.

Here are 800 years of history: from the Crusaders in the 12th century, through the turmoil of the Reformation and the founding father of Anglican theology, to some of the most famous church music in London.

The church was built by the Knights Templar, the order of crusading monks founded to protect pilgrims on their way to and from Jerusalem in the 12th century.

The church is in two parts: the Round and the Chancel. The Round Church was consecrated in 1185 by the patriarch of Jerusalem. It was designed to recall the holiest place in the Crusaders’ world: the circular Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

It is the Mother Church of the Common Law and one of the most historic and beautiful churches in London. It is also a numinous space and has a wonderful acoustic for singing.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • National heritage here

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café in church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Church of England

Contact information

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