London's oldest parish church
London's oldest parish church is St Bartholomew's.
Location: West Smithfield, London
Description: St Bartholomew-the-Great, is the only surviving part of a Norman priory and London's oldest parish church.
The priory was established in 1123 by a monk named Rahere, who is buried in the church. Rahere was a court jester to Henry I, and on a pilgrimage to Rome Rahere almost died of malaria and was so grateful for his recovery that he vowed to build a hospital on his return to England. He is reputed to haunt the altar periodically.
In a dream he was saved from a winged monster by St Bartholomew and when he arrived back in England Rahere founded not only a hospital but also a priory and church dedicated to St Bartholomew.
St Bartholomew's Hospital ('Barts'), which has also survived, is London's oldest and best-loved hospital.
In 1725 Benjamin Franklin, the US statesman, served a year as a journeyman printer in the Lady Chapel.
The churchyard here is where the stolen Vermeer The Guitar Player was dumped/found wrapped in newspaper back in 1974. It had been ransomed by someone demanding the release of IRA prisoners.
Tours: Rebels, Radicals & Rough Justice
Themes: Church Historical Medical
London's oldest parish church is St Bartholomew's. |
Ranking This Month: 1757/3062
Pages Hit This Month: 44
Credits: http://www.touruk.co.uk
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
St Olaves Church», 1.0km
Paddington Green Church», 3.2km
St James Church», 0.4km
Conan Doyle's Temple», 2.3km
The Church of the Good Shepherd», 4.0km
Westminster Abbey», 1.7km
London's oldest parish church», 0km
St Marylebone Church», 2.2km
St George in the East», 1.8km
Choirboy Laurence Olivier», 2.5km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»