This is the
house of God
The gate of heaven (1162)
London’s Jerusalem
Re-presenting the Holy Sepulchre (1162)
Gothic glory
Built for a king’s burial (1240)
The harmonies
of heaven
Singing to God’s glory
At the heart
of Legal London
The Temple in our time
“This is the house of God,
the very gate of heaven”
Welcome to the prayerful and beautiful Temple Church, steeped in the history of Christendom, this country and the whole Common Law World. 1162: the Round Church was built to be London’s Jerusalem. 1214–19: Magna Carta was negotiated in the Temple, and its greatest hero was buried in the Church. 1584, 1776, 1787: from Raleigh’s expeditions through the colonial constitutions to the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the Temple was the birthplace of American Law. And to this day the Church serves the legal colleges Inner and Middle Temple, London’s residents, visiting jurists and travellers from all over the world with some of the most uplifting services, music and discussions in London. Our legal term and legal year are now beginning, and we are delighted to be open again – with the sensible precautions you would expect – to welcome all those who will enjoy this special place.
How can so ancient a building be equipped to serve the modern age in prayer and praise and engagement with the pressing socio-legal challenges facing Britain and the wider world? Through Restoration & Renewal: Equipping the Temple Church for the next 100 Years, a major programme of refurbishment and repair, energised and supported by The Friends of the Temple Church.
Everything we do is now streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Do join us, in person or online, for a service or concert or event – or simply to visit this calm and ancient building in the therapeutic beauty of the Temple.
The Temple Church Newsletter for Michaelmas Term can be accessed here.
Robin Griffith-Jones Master of the Temple
Mark Hatcher Reader of the Temple
Saturday 16 October
The Church is usually open Mon–Fri, 10.00am–4.00pm
For up-to-date sightseeing hours, see what's on in summary below
Admission for Sightseeing
£5.00 | £3.00 | Free to children, the Inns’ members, Inns and Chambers staff, and their guests.
For more information click here
Choral Services
Next Choral Service: Choral Mattins, Sunday 17 October, 11.15am
All our services are live-streamed on the Church’s YouTube Channel