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.
WedFeb12 |
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 CANCELLED
This is talk is cancelled due to illness Lunchtime Organ Recital: Sebastian Johansson
For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Evensong for Valentines Day
Thanksgiving for all the Weddings celebrated and blessed at the Temple Church. Sung by the Temple Singers Introit: If ye love me (Tallis) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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ThuFeb13 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Holy Communion
This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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FriFeb14 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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SatFeb15 | ||
SunFeb16 |
Holy Communion
Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Mattins
Sung by the Temple Church Choir
Introit: This is my commandment (Thalben Ball) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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MonFeb17 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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TueFeb18 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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WedFeb19 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Lunchtime Organ Recital: Julian Thomas
For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Evensong
Sung by the Temple Singers
Introit: O God, my strength and fortitude (Scotland, anon, 16th century) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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ThuFeb20 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Holy Communion
This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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FriFeb21 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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SatFeb22 | ||
SunFeb23 |
Holy Communion
Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Communion
Sung by the Temple Singers
Introit: O King enthroned on high (Walford Davies) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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MonFeb24 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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TueFeb25 |
Temple Music Foundation Conert: Spring Sonata
Sophie Rosa (violin) Martin Roscoe (piano) The first instalment in a day of music bidding farewell to winter and ushering in spring. This lunchtime recital pairs two of the most beloved works in the violin repertoire, closing with the virtuosic wedding bells of Franck’s sonata. Martin Roscoe is one of the UK’s best-loved and most prolific pianists; to perform this glorious, sunny music he is joined by another outstanding musician also hailing from the North of England, violinist Sophie Rosa. Beethoven: Violin Sonata No.5 ‘Spring’ Duration: approximately 55 minutes (no interval) For more information and booking click here. Temple Music Foundation Conert: Notes of Old
Notes of Old Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) Sholto Kynoch (piano) Winner of the 2023 BBC Music Magazine Vocal Award, Helen Charlston, joins pianist Sholto Kynoch in a programme which weaves together music from across the centuries. Music by Bach, Monteverdi and Sweelinck resonates in unexpected ways with songs by Schubert, Hahn, and our featured emerging composer Anna Semple – highlighting the enduring tapestry of human experience that transcends temporal boundaries! The pair then perform Schumann’s Kerner Lieder, an extraordinary cycle of love and loss, that also owes much to music of the past. Frederic Mompou: Pour evoquer l'image du passé J.S. Bach: Widerstehe doch der Sünde Anna Semple: I am not yours Reynaldo Hahn: À Chloris Interval Robert Schumann: Kerner Lieder, Op.35
Duration: approximately 90 minutes (including interval) |
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WedFeb26 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Lunchtime Organ Recital: Students from Merchant Taylors School
For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Evensong for St David's Day
Sung by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. |
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ThuFeb27 |
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. Holy Communion
This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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FriFeb28 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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SatMar01 | ||
SunMar02 |
Holy Communion
Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Mattins
Sung by the Temple Singers This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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MonMar03 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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TueMar04 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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WedMar05 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Lunchtime Organ Recital: James Borrie
For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Choral Evensong for Ash Wednesday
Sung by the Temple Church Choir
Introit: Call to remembrance (Farrant) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel.
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ThuMar06 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Holy Communion
This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. |
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FriMar07 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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SatMar08 | ||
SunMar09 |
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MonMar10 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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TueMar11 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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WedMar12 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
Lunchtime Organ Recital: Charles Andrews
For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. |
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ThuMar13 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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FriMar14 |
Church open for sightseeing
10:00 am–
4:00 pm
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SatMar15 |