A Photographers & Visitors Guide & Timeless Stories

All Hallows by the Tower AD 675

Toc H Lamp at All Hallows by the TowerAll Hallows by the Tower (AD 675) is the oldest church in London and almost the oldest in the UK. Some of its fascinating history can be found on its website here and its wiki history here. Older churches can be found here and the oldest UK church still functioning is St Martin’s (AD 597) near Canterbury.

The image above is of the Toc H Lamp signifying membership of that international charity which was founded by army chaplain Rev Tubby Clayton as a refuge from the fighting in Belgium during WWI.  The Reverend was later vicar of All Hallows from 1922 to 1962.

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Sanctuary at All Hallows by the Tower

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First Steps Sculpture by John Robinson at All Hallows by the Tower

First Steps Sculpture by John Robinson

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Stained Glass at All Hallows by the Tower

All Hallows is a working church and engages in such enterprises as a food bank.

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Cherubs at All Hallows by the Tower

Baptismal Font Cover by Grinling Gibbons in 1682 for £12

Crypt at All Hallows by the Tower

Altar stone from the castle of Richard 1 at Athlit in the Holy Land

Part of the church was destroyed during WWII but there is a spiral staircase that leads down to the oldest part of the church, including a small museum with Saxon arches. At the end of the aisle is this alter with the rock face beyond.

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Spire of All Hallows by the Tower

The church is easy enough to find, being a little to the west of the Tower of London and its green spire easily visible at a distance when emerging from Tower Hill underground rail station.

This entry was posted on March 4, 2016 by . It was filed under Art, Central London, History, Photography, places to photograph in london, Places to Visit, Travel, uk and was tagged with , , , , , .

8 responses

  1. cindy knoke

    It is so beautiful Graham. The first alter photograph is ethereal.

    Like

    March 4, 2016 at 18:35

    Reply
    • Graham in Hats

      Its quite a quirky place. Perhaps because of all the history combined with a modern day use. 🙂

      Like

      March 4, 2016 at 22:40

      Reply
  2. notewords

    Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    March 4, 2016 at 20:53

    Reply
  3. ladyfi

    Stunning!

    Liked by 2 people

    March 10, 2016 at 16:02

    Reply
  4. Jenny

    I might have to look it up! Have you been to the one inside the Tower walls? I seem to remember it being fairly interesting.

    Liked by 1 person

    March 15, 2016 at 22:59

    Reply
    • Graham in Hats

      I’ve seen it but sadly photography is not allowed inside royal chapels. 😛

      Liked by 1 person

      March 16, 2016 at 14:27

      Reply
      • Jenny

        Fair enough 😛 Sometimes it can be nice to not be allowed to photograph something, as it makes you “appreciate the moment” more. At least, that’s what I try and tell myself, when really I am just full of resentment 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        March 20, 2016 at 15:39

        Reply

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