The Battle of the Organs

In February 1683, the treasurers of the two Societies of the Temple commissioned an organ from each of the two leading organ builders of the time, Bernhard Smith (1630-1708) and Renatus Harris (1652-1708). The organs were to be installed in the halls of the Middle and Inner Temple, to enable them to be played and judged. Smith was annoyed to discover that Harris was also invited to compete for the contract; he was under the impression that the job had already been offered to him. Smith petitioned the treasurers and won permission to erect his instrument in the church instead of in one of the halls. It was set on a screen which divided the round from the quire. This advantage was short-lived as Harris sought and obtained approval to place his organ at the opposite end of the church, to the south side of the communion table. It is thought that both organs were completed by May 1684.

Harris and Smith engaged the finest organists to show off their respective instruments and were put to great expense as the competition intensified and each instrument became more elaborate.

What’s On In Summary

MonJan20	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueJan21	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
WedJan22	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. Talk 11:15 am– 12:15 pm Lunchtime Organ Recital: Samuel Ali For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Choral Evensong followed by talk given by Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE A military life from Northern Ireland to the Coronation' Sung by the Temple Church Choir Organ: Master Tallis’s testament (Howells) Introit: Omnes de Saba (Handl) Responses: (Tomkins) Psalm 98 Canticles: Second service (Gibbons) Anthem: Let justice and judgement – Alleluia (Handel) Organ: Wir Christenleut BWV 612 This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
ThuJan23	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. Talk 11:15 am– 12:15 pm Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. View the order of service. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriJan24	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatJan25	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day
SunJan26	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Church Closed for sightseeing 12:00 am– 12:00 am Holy Communion Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. View the order of service. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Communion Sung by the Temple Church Choir Organ: Prelude in F minor BWV534 (Bach) Introit: Almighty and everlasting God (Gibbons) Setting: Missa Sancti Joannis de Deo (Haydn) Psalm 19 vv 1-6 Anthem: Lord, I trust thee (Handel) Organ: Fugue in F minor BWV524 (Bach) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 11:15 am– 12:15 pm
MonJan27	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueJan28	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
WedJan29	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. Talk 11:15 am– 12:15 pm Lunchtime Organ Recital: Daniel Baker For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Choral Evensong for Candlemas Sung by the Temple Singers Organ: Nunc dimittis (Charles Wood) Introit: O nata lux (Tallis) Responses: (Byrd ) Psalm 24 Magnificat octavi toni (Victoria) Nunc dimittis (Bax) Anthem: When to the Temple Mary went (Eccard) Organ: Der Tag, der ist so Freudenreich BWV605 (Bach) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
ThuJan30	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 2:00 pm Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. View the order of service. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Temple Music Foundation Conert: Stile Antico The Prince of Music Palestrina in the Eternal City 2025 marks half a millennium since the birth of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance. His career was inextricably entwined with the Papacy and the great churches of Rome. Renowned vocal ensemble Stile Antico present a programme exploring music Palestrina would have sung at the Sistine Chapel, the changes in his style demanded by the Counter-Reformation, his tragic personal life, and his influence on his successors. The sumptuous repertoire includes several of Palestrina’s most beloved and timeless motets, gems by other composers active in Rome, and the UK premiere of a new work by Cheryl Frances-Hoad written especially for this programme. The concert also celebrates the release of Stile Antico’s latest album on the Decca Classics label: The Golden Renaissance: Palestrina. Programme: Palestrina: Sicut cervus The Papal Chapel Josquin: Salve Regina Arcadelt: Pater noster Palestrina: Tu es Petrus The Counter-Reformation Palestrina: Nigra sum sed Formosa Victoria: Trahe me post te Palestrina: Credo from Missa Papae Marcelli Interval Palestrina: Super flumina Babylonis A time of turmoil Palestrina: Peccantem me quotidie Palestrina: Gioia m'abond'al cor Palestrina: Surge propera amica mea In praise of music Palestrina: Cantantibus organis Palestrina: Exultate Deo Lassus: Musica Dei donum Palestrina's rich legacy Anerio: Christus factus est Allegri: Christus Resurgens Frances-Hoad: UK premiere of a new work Palestrina: Laudate Dominum a 12 Click here for more information and booking. Concert 7:30 pm– 9:30 pm
FriJan31	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatFeb01	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day
SunFeb02	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Church Closed for sightseeing 12:00 am– 12:00 am Holy Communion Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. View the order of service. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Mattins Sung by the Temple Singers Introit Varley Roberts The Path of the Just Responses: (Byrd) Psalm 48 Te Deum: (Boyce in A) Jubilate: Plainsong Anthem: We shall walk through the valley (Undine Smith Moore) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 11:15 am– 12:15 pm
MonFeb03	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueFeb04	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
WedFeb05	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. Talk 11:15 am– 12:15 pm Lunchtime Organ Recital: Charles Andrews For more information on the lunchtime Organ Recital Series Click here. This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Choral Evensong Sung by the Temple Youth Choir Introit Derri Lewis Locus Iste Responses: (Rose) Psalm 148 Canticles: Gloucester Service (Howells) Anthem: Evening Hymn (Balfour Gardner) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
ThuFeb06	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. Talk 11:15 am– 12:15 pm Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. View the order of service. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriFeb07	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatFeb08	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day
SunFeb09	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Church Closed for sightseeing 12:00 am– 12:00 am Holy Communion Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. View the order of service. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Communion Sung by the Temple Church Choir Introit: Teach me thy love to know (Allery) Setting Orgelsolo Messe (Mozart) Psalm 118 (14-21) Anthem: View me Lord (Lloyd) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 11:15 am– 12:15 pm
MonFeb10	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueFeb11	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Magna Carta Choral Evensong Special service to celebrate the 800th Anniversary (to the day!) of the Sealing of the final Iteration of Magna Carta. Guest speaker: David Carpenter, Professor of Medieval History, Kings College, London This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
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 Free as part of the entrance fee. Talk 11:15 am– 12:15 pm 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. Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm 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) Responses: (Rose) Psalm: I was Glad (Parry) Canticles: (Wood in F) Anthem: Zadok the Priest (Handel) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
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. View the order of service. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriFeb14	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatFeb15	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day
SunFeb16	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Church Closed for sightseeing 12:00 am– 12:00 am Holy Communion Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. View the order of service. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Mattins Sung by the Temple Church Choir Introit: This is my commandment (Thalben Ball) Responses: (Tomkins) Psalm 7 Te Deum: (Sumsion in G) Jubilate (Plainsong) Anthem: Teach me O Lord (Byrd) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 11:15 am– 12:15 pm
MonFeb17	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueFeb18	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
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. Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Choral Evensong Sung by the Temple Singers Introit: O God, my strength and fortitude (Scotland, anon, 16^th century) Responses: (Radcliffe) Psalm 33 1-12 Canticles: (Purcell in B Flat) Anthem: Thomas Hyde As Truly as God our Father (Thomas Hyde) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm