The Temple Church is one of the most historic and beautiful churches in London. Use the left-margin tool-bar to read its story, period by period. Here are eight hundred 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, week by week – music which we invite you to come and hear when you are next within striking distance of the Temple.
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 a numinous space – and has a wonderful acoustic for singing.
For more history please visit the timeline.
| WedJan14 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Organ recital: Nicolas Kilhoffer
This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Evensong
Sung by the Temple Church Choir Organ prelude: Dieu parmi nous (Messiaen) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel.
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| ThuJan15 |
Church open for sightseeing Please note later opening of 12.30
12:30 pm–
4:00 pm
Holy Communion
This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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| FriJan16 |
Church open for sightseeing (Please note earlier closing at 1.30pm)
10:00 am–
1:30 pm
Talk: The story of the Temple Church from the Knights Templar to the present day
Free as part of the entrance fee. |
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| SatJan17 |
Gao Hong with Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Pipa virtuoso and composer Gao Hong reaches a striking new artistic pinnacle with Symphony of Self, a suite of four original concertos that showcase the remarkable expressive range of the pipa. Drawing on the ancient Pudong pipa tradition while embracing the breadth and colour of a full Western orchestra, Gao crafts a richly textured sound world where centuries-old artistry meets bold contemporary imagination. Recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, these concertos reimagine the Chinese lute for the modern symphonic stage, offering a fresh and dynamic perspective on an instrument rarely heard in this context. Symphony of Self reflects Gao Hong’s lifelong dedication to innovation, cultural connection, and musical storytelling, celebrating a career defined by curiosity, artistry, and boundary-crossing creativity. |
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| SunJan18 |
Holy Communion
Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Epiphany Carol Service
Sung by the Temple Singers Organ prelude : Prelude ‘At Christmastide’ (Stanford) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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| MonJan19 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Talk: The story of the Temple Church from the Knights Templar to the present day
Free as part of the entrance fee. |
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| TueJan20 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Images of the Divine
Temple SingersThomas Allery (conductor)The Temple Singers return with a compelling programme reflecting sacred mysticism across centuries and Christian traditions. At its centre is Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir, a powerful and private statement of faith, heard alongside works by Hildegard von Bingen, Josquin des Prez, Stravinsky, Tavener and Messiaen. Eric Whitacre’s Sainte-Chapelle, inspired by the glowing stained glass of the Parisian chapel, imagines a young girl stepping inside and hearing the voices of angels softly singing the Sanctus, a vision that resonates with the divine encounters explored throughout the programme. Duration: One hour (no interval) |
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| WedJan21 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Choral Evensong
Sung by the Temple Singers Organ prelude: In nomine (Gibbons) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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| ThuJan22 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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| FriJan23 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Talk: The story of the Temple Church from the Knights Templar to the present day
Free as part of the entrance fee. |
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| SatJan24 | ||
| SunJan25 |
Choral Communion
Sung by the Temple Church Choir Organ: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Brahms) |
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| MonJan26 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Talk: The story of the Temple Church from the Knights Templar to the present day
Free as part of the entrance fee. |
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| TueJan27 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
3:00 pm
Love from Afar
Paul Bentley-Angell (tenor)Rebekah Nießer-Jones (mezzo-soprano)Ben Rowarth (bass-baritone)with Professor Emma DillonLonesome lovers. Beguiling songsters. Provocative nightingales. Friends at play. These are a just few of the characters you will encounter in this programme of songs from the courts of twelfth-century France. As well as giving voice to feelings of universal appeal, tonight’s selection tells the story of a medieval love-affair with the medium itself – one forming joyful and creative connections among song-makers, performers and audiences, near and far. Performed in the Round Church, the programme is the second in a series of an innovative collaboration between singers from Siglo de Oro (dir. Patrick Allies) and scholars from the UKRI-funded Musical Lives project at King's College London. Join us as our singers breathe new life into songs rarely heard today, performing an eclectic sample from one of Europe’s earliest surviving traditions of love song. Duration: One hour (no interval) |
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| WedJan28 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Choral Evensong for Candlemas
Sung by the Temple Church Choir Organ: Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BWV 662 (Bach) |
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| ThuJan29 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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| FriJan30 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Talk: The story of the Temple Church from the Knights Templar to the present day
Free as part of the entrance fee. |
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| SatJan31 | ||
| SunFeb01 | ||
| MonFeb02 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
Talk: The story of the Temple Church from the Knights Templar to the present day
Free as part of the entrance fee. |
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| TueFeb03 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| WedFeb04 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| ThuFeb05 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| FriFeb06 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| SatFeb07 | ||
| SunFeb08 | ||
| MonFeb09 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| TueFeb10 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| WedFeb11 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| ThuFeb12 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| FriFeb13 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:30 am–
11:30 am
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| SatFeb14 |