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All Souls Church, Langham Place

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All Souls Church, Langham Place
Southwark Cathedral
St Clement Danes
Westminster Abbey
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Paul's Cathedral
Easter in London
 

 

Easter isn't just about gorging on chocolate - it's an important date in the Christian calendar, a time when Jesus died and rose again. You can drop into almost any London church on Easter Sunday and the whole of Holy Week for quiet contemplation and raise-the-roof hymn singing. We've highlighted just a few below.

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All Souls Church, Langham Place

2 All Souls Place, Fitzrovia, London, W1B 3DA

Tube: Oxford Circus Station

 
 

Anyone who's stood at Oxford Circus wondering which way to turn or trying to meet somebody outside Topshop cannot have failed to notice this striking in-the-round church standing at the northern end of Regent Street. All Souls is the last surviving church built by 19th century architect John Nash and received some pretty harsh criticism when it opened in 1824. Today, the church fills to the rafters for Sunday services as people escape the hustle and bustle of the West End and come into this place of worship. It also has an active outward focus, ministering to workers, students and young people through a variety of groups and events. Services are a rich mix of praise, music (All Souls' famous orchestra accompanies the congregation about once a month) and biblical teaching. Rector Hugh Palmer, a Chaplain to the Queen, Elizabeth II, since July 2012, and Rico Tice, All Souls' resident evangelist, talk about hope in the Christian faith. Services are on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when the evening service begins at 5.30pm.

 
 
 

Southwark Cathedral

Bridge, Bankside, London, SE1 9DA

Tube: London Bridge Station

 
 

While you might be hard pressed to get into the Easter Sunday services at the oldest Gothic building in London, Southwark Cathedral is running many additional services over the Easter period. A hidden gem of a cathedral on the south bank of the Thames by London Bridge, its position just across the river from the city means its mission is to the thriving business community outside its walls but at this time of year worshippers come from all corners to engage with Jesus' death and resurrection. Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday when the choral eucharist is followed by the Palm Procession which stops in Borough Market at 12.15pm. On Good Friday there's the Walk of Witness which begins at the cathedral at 10.15am and stops at Christ Church, Blackfriars Road on the way to Waterloo Station.

 
 
 

St Clement Danes

Strand, Holborn, London, WC2R 1DH

Tube: Temple Station

 
 

For a child-friendly atmosphere in the heart of London, head along to St Clement Danes. The classic English nursery rhyme - "'Oranges and lemons', say the bells of St Clement's" - could be said to be based on this church on the Strand and its bells indeed ring out the tune daily at 9am, 12pm, 3pm and 6pm. St Clement Eastcheap also lays claim to being the church featured in the rhyme but don't let a mere technicality get in the way of enjoying the tradition. The rhyme rings out on the church bells, the oldest of which is the Sanctus Bell which was cast in 1588 by Robert Mot, founder of the Whitechapel Foundry. A church has stood on this prominent spot beside the Royal Courts of Justice, on an island in the middle of the Strand, for over 1,000 years. The 'Danes' in the title may well refer to its 9th century construction by the many Danish who lived in England at the time and who dedicated the church to St Clement, patron saint of mariners. Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, the church escaped damage in the Great Fire of 1666 but was rebuilt by Christopher Wren in 1681. Not so lucky during the Blitz, it was all but destroyed in 1941 and restored in 1958 as the central church of the Royal Air Force. 

 
 
 

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4JJ

Tube: Charing Cross Station , Leicester Square Station, Embankment Underground Station, Covent Garden Station, Piccadilly Circus Station

 
 

Set in the heart of the West End, St Martin-in-the-Fields is a popular place of worship and is frequently full to the rafters for its services and excellent concert programme. Every Easter it has a comprehensive programme of religious services and prayers, including services in Mandarin and Cantonese (for the nearby Oriental population of Chinatown). The annual Palm Sunday Procession is always one for the diary and includes a procession from Admiralty Arch led by a donkey. The historic church, which overlooks Trafalgar Square, was designed by James Gibbs and built in 1726. It houses a glorious eaterie - the Cafe in the Crypt - a gift shop, brass rubbing centre, art gallery and a market in the courtyard. Candle-lit concerts are held from Thursday to Saturday, there are free lunchtime recitals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays and jazz on Wednesdays. All profits go to support the work of the church, with its particular ministry to the homeless.

 
 
 

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Churchyard, City, London, EC4M 8AD

Tube: St. Paul's Station , Mansion House Station, Blackfriars Underground Station

 
 

The great dome of St Paul's is one of the most striking features of the City's skyline, standing proud as a beacon of our Christian heritage. Walk over the Millennium Bridge on Easter Sunday with the majestic cathedral façade before you and you'll be in for something of a spiritual experience before you even step inside. The building is a wonderfully historic site. Built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed Old St Paul's, the new cathedral miraculously went on to escape major damage during the Blitz in World War Two. Images of the famous dome framed by smoke became a powerful symbol of hope in a dark time. This poignant story of survival and a lesson in leaving the past behind while looking to new life is what Jesus' resurrection at Easter is all about. The Holy Week services at St Paul's provide a traditional and thoughtful way to meditate on these significant themes. On Palm Sunday there's a dramatic re-enactment of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, with a procession of palms led by a donkey. The 12noon Good Friday service is led by Canon Dr Paula Gooder, Chancellor and on Easter Sunday itself, the St Paul's Cathedral Choir sing joyful hymns.

 
 
 

Westminster Abbey

Dean's Yard, Westminster, London, SW1P 3PA

Tube: Westminster Station , St James's Park Station

 
 

People have been worshipping on this site for over 1,000 years, dating back to when Benedictine monks arrived circa 960. From these humble beginnings Westminster Abbey has become one of the most famous churches in history, not least because of its awesome architecture, with kings and queens having started and ended their reigns within its majestic walls for centuries. At Easter you can enjoy special services and recitals. Good Friday sees the blessing of the palms with the Choirs of Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church. On Thursday, 9th April 2020, there's a service with readings, hymns and the washing of feet, symbolising Christ's love for all people. Easter Day brings a sung eucharist, filling the cathedral with a sense of renewed life and hope, from 10.30am until 12noon.

 
 
 

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