History

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.

What’s On In Summary

WedJan14
Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am 4:00 pm

Organ recital: Nicolas Kilhoffer Concert 1:15 pm 1:45 pm

Choral Evensong Service 5:45 pm 6:45 pm
ThuJan15
Funeral Service Service 11:00 am 12:00 pm


Holy Communion Service 1:15 pm 1:45 pm

Memorial Service Service 6:00 pm 7:00 pm
FriJan16
Talk: The story of the Temple Church from the Knights Templar to the present day Talk 11:15 am 12:15 pm
SatJan17
Gao Hong with Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Concert 7:30 pm 9:00 pm
SunJan18
Holy Communion Service 8:30 am 9:00 am

Epiphany Carol Service Service 11:15 am 12:15 pm
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 Talk 12:30 pm 1:30 pm
TueJan20
Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am 4:00 pm

Images of the Divine Concert 6:30 pm 7:30 pm
WedJan21
Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am 4:00 pm

Organ recital: recitalist tbc Concert 1:15 pm 1:45 pm

Choral Evensong Service 6:00 pm 7:00 pm
ThuJan22
Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am 4:00 pm

Holy Communion Service 1:15 pm 1:45 pm
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 Talk 11:15 am 12:15 pm
SatJan24
SunJan25
Holy Communion Service 8:30 am 9:00 am

Choral Communion Service 11:15 am 12:15 pm
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 Talk 12:30 pm 1:30 pm
TueJan27
Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am 3:00 pm

Love from Afar Concert 7:00 pm 8:00 pm
WedJan28
Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am 4:00 pm

Organ recital: George Balfour Concert 1:15 pm 1:45 pm

Choral Evensong for Candlemas Service 6:00 pm 7:00 pm
ThuJan29
Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am 4:00 pm

Holy Communion Service 1:15 pm 1:45 pm
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 Talk 11:15 am 12:15 pm
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 Talk 12:30 pm 1:30 pm
TueFeb03
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am
WedFeb04
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am

ThuFeb05
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am
FriFeb06
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am
SatFeb07
SunFeb08
MonFeb09
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am
TueFeb10
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am
WedFeb11
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am

Organ recital: Steven Knieriem Concert 1:15 pm 1:45 pm
ThuFeb12
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am
FriFeb13
Church open for sightseeing 10:30 am 11:30 am
SatFeb14