The Temple Church

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In that venerable place of worship, the Temple Church, we at once perceive how much it differs from every other church in London, both in form, and in association with the past.

There is also an unspeakable charm about the place, a sense of deep repose; and I would advise every stranger who means to make a pilgrimage thither, as all do sooner or later, to first read the admirable book by Judge Baylis, QC, MA, who has exhausted the subject of its description and history.

The Temple Church of St. Mary and Chapel of St. Ann consists of a "Round" - which takes the place of a nave - and a choir, being in this respect unique in the metropolis.

There are but four other Round churches in England, namely. at Cambridge, Little Maplestead, Ludlow Castle, and Northampton; this peculiar arrangement is of very ancient origin, and, in the case of heathen temples, can be traced back to Homer's time.

(In 1900 - during some excavations at St. John's Church, clerkenwell, an ancient wall of curved formation was uncovered, in the opinion of experts part of the original nave which had evidently been circular like that of the Temple.)

The Round of our Temple Church was consecrated with great ceremony in 1185 by Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and in 1240 the Choir was added.

In 1825, the Chapel of St. Ann was pulled down, and its interesting ruins now lie beneath several large paving-stones on the south side of the Round, to which it was attached.

Finally, in 1840 - 42, the entire edifice was thoroughly restored, as we now see it.

The Round, like the Choir, is supported by six clustered pillars of beautifully-polished Purbeck marble, a most distinctive feature of the Temple, which is probably the most finished example in existence of the Lancet, or Early English style.

The Round is famous for its effigies of Knights Templars, dating back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Their attitudes are all different, though all have their legs crossed, and their faces are supposed to be true likenesses of the old crusaders resting below in leaden coffins, and who in Paynim countries had trod "and fought beneath the Cross of God."

Other memorials in the Choir are chiefly those of eminent lawyers, amongst the most notable being that of Seldon, the famous jurist, whose tomb, Pepys shrewdly remarked, was much plainer than that of his executor who was buried near him.

Outside the church, where lie many another Templar beneath the flagstones, on the north side, is the grave of a Mr. Joshua Blew, FSA. (obiit 1763), who for fifty-five years combined the seemingly inconsistent offices of chief butler and librarian to the Inner Temple.

Near him, sleeps the author of The Vicar of Wakefield; the inscription is, "Here lies Oliver Goldsmith, born 10. Nov. 1728; died 4. April, 1774," and in the register, his death is recorded as that of "Oliver Goldsmith, MB, late of Brick Court, Middle Temple, buried in the churchyard, 9 Apl 1774."

On week-days (Saturdays and Bank Holidays excepted), from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (2 p.m to 5 p.m. in summer) admission was gained to the church by a singular process.

In the western Norman porch the large door was kept shut, but a knock with a heavy iron ring summoned the keeper or his daughter, by whom the door was slowly opened.

The services were delightful, and if fortunate enough to know a Bencher, one sat in state in the Choir in the most comfortable and roomy of pews, those of the Middle Temple being on the left of the entrance door opposite those of the Inner Temple on the right.

Between, was the congregation (with Benchers' orders) facing the altar - the sexes no longer separated - and generously provided with prayer-books, bibles, anthem, psalter and hymn-books. Needless to say that the services were musical, and exquisitely rendered by a picked choir.

The historic organ, one of the oldest in England, was built by Schmidt, the story of whose successful competition with Harris for the honour of erecting the instrument in the Temple is well known.

None of the old organs in London are equal to it in tone or power, unless it be the one at St. Sepulchre's, Holborn Viaduct, put up by Harris in 1670 and since rebuilt.

There is a charming reference in The Newcomes to the Temple Church, whither Mrs. Mackenzie goes with her pretty daughter Rosey and Clive Newcome, at whom the merry little widow is openly setting her cap:

"Why, even the grave old Benchers in Temple Church, when the ladies visited it on Sunday, winked reverend eyes with pleasure, as they looked at those two uncommmonly smart, pretty, well-dressed, fashionable women. Ladies, go to the Temple Church. You will see many young men, and receive more respectful attention there than in any place, except perhaps at Oxford or Cambridge. Go to the Temple Church - not, of course, for the admiration which you will excite, and which you cannot help; but because the sermon is excellent, the choral services beautifully performed, and the church so interesting as a monument of the thirteenth century, and as it contains the tombs of those dear Knights Templars!"

Next: Some notable Churches and Chapels of the Church of England - Some Noncomformist Churches and Chapels: Churches Outside the City of London Boundaries