Services & Ceremonies - Temple Church

Services

Our services at the Temple follow the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England. The Book of Common Prayer reached its present form in 1662.

Most of our services are choral. We invite the congregation to join, of course, in singing the hymns, the Venite (at Mattins) and the Creed (at Communion). For the rest, we hope that you will enjoy the singing of the choir and the playing of the organ.

Such a service is an opportunity to bring our own cares quietly to God; and to set those cares within the vast, unfolding purposes of God, our Creator and Redeemer. We hear in these services of God’s unending love for his people and for his whole creation: in the story of the Old Testament and the songs of the psalms; in the story of Jesus himself; in the letters of the apostles; and in the hymns and creeds of the early church. So we learn, as a church and its members, to trust God’s care for ourselves and for those we love; and to entrust ourselves to the life that he calls us to live.

Please click here for forthcoming services

SUNDAYS IN TERM-TIME

8.30am Holy Communion (BCP said) Please note that entry to the Church for this service is via Tudor Street.

11.15am Choral Mattins (BCP)

Choral Communion (BCP) is sung on the second and last Sunday of the month.

Kindly note that no services are held in August and September.

WEEKDAYS IN TERM-TIME

Wednesday, 6.00pm
Choral Evensong

Thursday, 1.15pm–1.45pm
Holy Communion (BCP said)

Kindly note that the no services are held in August and September.

Please click here for forthcoming services

What’s On In Summary

WedOct23	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 2:00 pm Lunchtime Organ Recital: Thomas Allery, Temple Church This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. For more information on the lunchtime Recital Series please click here. Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Memorial Service Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
ThuOct24	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 (Cancelled) We are sorry that the Holy Communion today will not happen. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriOct25	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatOct26	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day
SunOct27	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Communion Sung by the Temple Church Choir Organ prelude: Sonata no 5, movement 1 (Mendelssohn) Introit: Blessed are the pure in heart (Walford Davies) Setting: Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo (Haydn) Psalm 133 Anthem: Ave maris stella (Grieg) Organ voluntary: Sonata no 5, movement 2 (Mendelssohn) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 11:15 am– 12:15 pm
MonOct28	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueOct29	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
WedOct30	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Lunchtime Organ Recital: Charles Andrews, Temple Church This recital will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. For more information regarding the Lunchtime Recital Series please click here. Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Choral Evensong Sung by the Temple Singers Organ prelude: White note paraphrase (MacMillan) Introit: Justorum animae (Stanford) Responses: (Leighton) Psalm: 85 Canticles: First Service (Parsons) Anthem: Invocation (MacMillan) Organ voluntary: Prelude in C minor BWV546 (Bach) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
ThuOct31	Church Open for Sightseeing 10:00 am– 3:00 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. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriNov01	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatNov02	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day
SunNov03	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Mattins Sung by the Temple Singers Organ prelude: Prelude in B minor BWV 544 (Bach) Introit: O quam gloriosum (Victoria) Hymn 1: For all the saints vv Responses: (Smith) Psalm 149 Te Deum: (Stanley Marchant in D) Jubilate: (Stanford in B flat) Anthem: Give us the wings of faith (Bullock) Organ voluntary: Fugue in B minor BWV544 (Bach) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 11:15 am– 12:15 pm
MonNov04	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueNov05	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Memorial Service Service 5:00 pm– 6:00 pm
WedNov06	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: James Thomas 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 Church Choir Organ prelude: Prelude in F (Stanford) Introit: Teach me thy love to know (Allery) Responses: (Clucas) Psalm: 150 (Stanford) Canticles: Collegium Regale (Howells) Anthem: Antiphon (Vaughan Williams) Organ voluntary: Andante maestoso (William Lloyd Webber) Please note earlier start time of 5.45pm This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 5:45 pm– 6:45 pm
ThuNov07	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriNov08	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 12:00 pm Memorial Service Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
SatNov09	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day
SunNov10	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Mattins for Remembrance Sunday (Please note earlier start time) Sung by the Temple Church Choir Organ prelude: Solemn melody (Walford Davies) Introit: They shall grow not old (Guest) Psalm 136 Te Deum: Ireland in F Benedictus: Stanford in C Anthem: And I saw a new heaven (Bainton) Organ voluntary: Elegy (Thalben-Ball) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 10:50 am– 11:50 am
MonNov11	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 2:00 pm
TueNov12	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
WedNov13	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Lunchtime Organ Recital: Thomas Allery, Temple Church 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 Church Choir Organ: Rhapsody no 1 (Howells) Introit: Lord, for our nation (Gibbons) Responses: Tomkins Psalm: 100 Canticles: Second service (Gibbons) Anthem: Let justice and judgement (Handel) Organ: Postlude in D minor (Stanford) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
ThuNov14	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriNov15	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatNov16	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Saturday Brunch Organ Recital: Ignace Michiels International Organ Recital: Ignace Michiels (Bruges) The distinguished concert organist presents a continental European programme including César Franck's stirring Pièce Héroïque, four gems of the Belgian repertoire, and JS Bach's exuberant Toccata in F with its fancy footwork! Our organ proms are a special opportunity to step into the tranquility of the Temple at the weekend and experience the church's fine organ in the hands of celebrated international recitalists not often heard in the UK. JS Bach: Toccata in F BWV 540 Marco Enrico Bossi: Allegretto Op. 92 No. 3 César Franck: Pièce Héroïque from Trois Pièces Théodore Dubois: Fiat Lux from Douzes Pièces Nouvelles Joseph Bonnet: Elfes from 12 Pièces, Op. 7 Edgar Tinel: Allegro con moto from Sonate Op. 29 Joseph Callaerts: Little Fantasie Op. 22 Flor Peeters: Concert Piece Op. 52a Camil Van Hulse: from Symphonia Mystica Op. 53 Scherzo – Intermezzo – Finale Free Concert For more information click here. Concert 12:00 pm– 1:00 pm
SunNov17	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day Holy Communion This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Please enter the Temple via Tudor Street. Service 8:30 am– 9:00 am Choral Mattins Sung by the Temple Singers Organ prelude: Master Tallis’s testament (Howells) Introit: The Call (Lloyd) Responses: Smith Psalm 96 Te Deum: Short service (Gibbons) Jubilate: Boyce in C Anthem: O God, the Creator (Cecilia McDowall) Ooluntary: Introduction with dances (Matthew Martin) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 11:15 am– 12:15 pm
MonNov18	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
TueNov19	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
WedNov20	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Lunchtime organ recital - Oliver Hancock Concert 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm Choral Evensong Sung by the Temple Singers Organ prelude: Concerto in G BWV 592, movements 1 & 2 (Bach) Introit: Never weather-beaten sail (Campion) Responses: (Smith) Psalm: 122 Canticles: Wesley in E Anthem: Hymn for St Cecilia (Howells) Organ voluntary: Concerto in G BWV592, movement 3 (Bach) This service will be live-streamed on the Church's YouTube Channel. Service 6:00 pm– 7:00 pm
ThuNov21	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm Holy Communion Service 1:15 pm– 1:45 pm
FriNov22	Church open for sightseeing 10:00 am– 4:00 pm
SatNov23	Church Closed for sightseeing all –day

Baptism & Confirmation

We are delighted that you are considering the Temple Church for your own or your child’s baptism or confirmation and hope that the following points will be helpful.

— Baptism and Confirmation at the Temple Church is available to all Benchers and members of the Inner and Middle Temple and their children, and to members of our regular congregation and their children.

— If you would like to discuss this further please contact Catherine de Satgé in the Church Office on 020 7353 8559 or catherine@templechurch.com

— We are glad that a good proportion of our baptism and confirmation families are able to return occasionally or regularly to the Temple Church and so become part of our community here.

Marriage

With this ring I thee wed;
with my body I thee honour;
and all my worldly goods with thee I share:
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

You are likely to be visiting this part of the site because you have recently got engaged. If that is the case
— many congratulations to you both!

First things first: some administration
The Temple Church is a beautiful church for weddings. In case you are thinking of being married here, it may be helpful to outline the conditions that must be satisfied.

The Church does not have a licence for the celebration of weddings, and it is thanks to kind permission from the Archbishop of Canterbury that we can conduct them here. The Archbishop lays down clear conditions for the granting of the Special Licence that we require. For a couple to be married here,
it is necessary that:

i. either the bride or the groom is a member of Inner or of Middle Temple; or

ii. either the bride or the groom is a child of a member of Inner or of Middle Temple; or

iii. either the bride or the groom is a grandchild of a Bencher of Inner or of Middle Temple.

The Archbishop’s office is also very pleased to consider our applications on behalf of couples where:

iv. either the bride or the groom is employed by Chambers in the Temple or by Inner or Middle Temple; or

v. either the bride or the groom is a regular member of our congregation here

For further details, you may like to download the Wedding Guide and then to contact Catherine de Satgé in the Church Office on 020 7353 8559 or catherine@templechurch.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

Funeral & Thanksgiving

Go forth upon thy journey from this world, beloved soul: in the name of God the Father who created thee; in the name of Jesus Christ his only Son who hath redeemed thee; in the name of the Holy Spirit who gave thee life and giveth thee life still. Accompanied by angels and archangels and by all the company of heaven, may thy portion this day be in peace, and thy dwelling place the heavenly Jerusalem.

It is a privilege for us to conduct here the Funeral and/or the Thanksgiving Service for a member of one of the Inns or a member of our congregation.

If you would like our help, please contact Catherine de Satgé in the Church Office on 020 7353 8559 or catherine@templechurch.com. We realise that you will need to arrange the funeral, in particular, at short notice and at a most unsettled time.

You will probably be visiting this part of the site if you have yourself been recently bereaved; we are here to help, and hope that we can offer here the farewell and tribute that you are hoping for, for one you love. We will have you in our prayers and thoughts as we prepare the service with you.