Churches

After class today I went on a little adventure around London with one of my roommates to find Temple Church, a cathedral near the north bank of the Thames that was used in the filming of the Da Vinci Code. The walk from the tube station took us a little ways along the Thames, and then up through a strange cobbled street.

It took a couple map references and doubling back once or twice, but eventually we found our way to the 800 year old church nestled between brick office buildings, cloisters, and what looked like private residences. They were just opening the doors for the daily 2-hour visiting period.

Inside it looked much like it did in the movie -- albeit a little smaller than I expected. Yet the high ceilings, stained glass windows, Gothic arches, and massive columns made the sanctuary feel huge.

As a little historical background, the church was built in the 12th century by the Knights Templar, an order of monks founded to protect traveling pilgrims on their way to or from Jerusalem.

In the Round there were 16 tombs laid in the stone floor. Some were knights, and others were important people to the church. According to their website, "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."

Although the Temple Church was badly damaged in WWII, it was repaired and still maintains a feeling of arcane ancientness that could strike anyone speechless.

Afterward, we headed out and found our way to the infamous Fleet Street. I've never seen all of Sweeney Todd, so I suppose some of it was lost on me, but for the most part it looked like any other busy road. Protruding out from the rows of shops, however, was a large bell tower, which of course called for closer inspection.

It turned out to be a church called St. Dunstan-in-the-West originally established in 1000AD somewhere along where Fleet Street is today. In the 1800s however, it was rebuilt in its present location. It was quite beautiful and peaceful (at least until a group of tourists came in snapping pictures left and right..).

I am still amazed by the sheer age of so many of the buildings and establishments around here. People just keep building on, over, and around these ancient treasures, living modern lives in this ancient city.

Tomorrow I'll be getting up early to see the city from a different perspective -- my class is apparently headed to Greenwich by boat! We'll be traveling down the Thames and spending the day in the town where East meets West at the Prime Meridian.

So, cheers!