Temple Church
Nearby Temple Church

Temple Church sits within the Inner Temple of the Inns of Court, and was originally consecrated in 1185 as the spiritual and actual home of the Knights Templar. The church has a long and powerful history, and survives as one of London's oldest original churches despite it's association with the once powerful order of the Templars.The magnificent chancel of the church was built in the 13th century at the behest of Henry III, who buried his infant son here and originally intended to be laid to rest in the chancel himself.
The Knights Templar originally built the entire Temple complex as a seat of power independent from the Crown, and the residences provided a focal point for the barons as they renegotiated the Crown's power through the Magna Carta of 1215. Despite this independent ethos, the Templars grew close to the Crown, although even closer to Rome, and eventually the order was to suffer from being identified with rebellious barons who banked their money at the Temple to avoid tithes, and with a primary loyalty to the Pope.
Henry III himself fell out with the Templars over money and loyalty and the beginning of the Order's decline was marked by his decision to move his own grave back to Westminster Abbey. The order was finally disbanded by Henry VIII and many of the residencies destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. However, the beautiful church was preserved as an Anglican seat and has survived, occassionally propped up and restored, since then. Miraculously the Temple Church survived the heavy city-centred bombing of World War II with only a burnt roof and a few cracked pillars.
Today the church is still a vibrant Anglican community with Sunday services, and the Master of the Temple is a coveted Anglican position, with holders giving regular talks to the public on theology. The church has always had a fantastic choir and the magnificent acousits attract musicians from far and wide, including Paul Tortelier who made his recording of the complete Bach Cello Suites there in 1983.
This beautiful church boasts an ancient and exciting history, and the architecture speaks of the wealth and power invested in the church. There are magnificent tombs, a splendid nave, and a majestic choir, in what is also one of the oldest churches in London.
A quiet and inspiring spot in the heart of the City.
Temple Church events
Katherine Manley And The Vasari Singers
TIMES 7pm PRICING £25
The choir performs Handel's Zadok the Priest, Vangelis's Prayer Of The World, Britten's Rejoice In The Lamb, Mozart's Laudate Dominum and Bach/Gounod's Ave Maria
God Save The Queen
TIMES 11.15am PRICING phone for prices
A service of music and readings celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Queen's Accession
Endymion Ensemble
TIMES 7.30pm PRICING £15-£25
The ensemble performs Schubert's Trio In B Flat, Mozart's Quintet For Clarinet And Strings In A and Brahms's Clarinet Quintet In B Minor.
Temple Church images
Temple Church Temple Church Exterior
Location map of Temple Church

Car Parks
Further articles featuring Temple Church on LondonTown.com
[Christmas Carols & Services at Temple Church Temple Church, EC4Y 7HL 28th November - 25th December 2011 If the renowned author Dan Brown staggered through the vaulted archway of...
[Christmas Carols & Services at Temple Church Temple Church, EC4Y 7HL 28th November - 25th December 2011 If the renowned author Dan Brown staggered through the vaulted archway of...
Christmas Carols at Temple Church Temple Church, EC4Y 7HL 16th December 2009 - 20th December 2009 If the renowned author Dan Brown staggered through the vaulted archway of...
Resting Place of the Knight's Templar Temple Church, Inner Temple, Fleet Street, EC4Y After escaping from the police at Biggin Hill, they speed towards Fleet Street in...
Cracking the Code With the keystone and Teabing in Rémy’s clutches, Robert and Sophie rush from Temple Church via Temple Underground station to the King’s College...
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel Double/Twin Rooms: 52% off from £223
19 New Bridge Street, EC4V | 6 minutes from Temple Church
Rising from the very heart of the Square Mile, the listed façade of an early 20th Century building on the site of Henry VIII's Bridewell Palace ...More
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel Double Rooms: 84% off from £144
Aldwych, WC2B4DD | 9 minutes from Temple Church
Positioned between the City’s Square Mile and the thriving West End, this grand, Edwardian Hilton hotel welcomes guests with a patisserie and champagne bar in the ...More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel Petite Doubles: 59% off from £132
61 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A | 9 minutes from Temple Church
Due to open on the 18th March 2012, Lincoln's Inn Fields is the 4th Club Quarters hotel in London. The hotel an ideal accommodation choice for ...More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Middle Temple Lane, London, Holborn, London EC4Y | 2 minutes from Temple Church
Middle Temple Hall, completed in 1574, is late-Gothic in style. Its attractions are a rare double-hammer beam roof, an intricately carved screen (which, although heavily damaged ...More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Strand, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 3 minutes from Temple Church
A stunning example of Gothic architecture, London's Inns of Court date back to before the 14th century. It is here that barristers train and traditionally practice. ...More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Strand, London, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 8 minutes from Temple Church
Somerset House, once the site of a spectacular Tudor palace, now includes a magnificent 18th century art gallery housing celebrated collections belonging to the Courtauld Institute Gallery, ...More
Sights and Attractions near Temple Church
London > Attractions > Museums
Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincolns Inn Fields, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 6 minutes from Temple Church
The home of the Royal College of Surgeons boasts a host of enlightening, permanent and temporary, galleries and exhibitions. Housed in the college, the Hunterian Museum ...More
London > Attractions > Museums
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 6 minutes from Temple Church
The Hunterian Museum within the Royal College of Surgeons boasts a host of enlightening, permanent and temporary, galleries and exhibitions. Housed in the college, the Hunterian ...More
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, London, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 8 minutes from Temple Church
Manet's 'Bar at the Folies-Bergeres', Van Gogh's 'Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear' and Renoir's 'La Loge' are just a few of the celebrated artworks displayed at ...More
London > Events > Comedy Dates: 28th April 2012 to 27th May 2012
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 | 14 minutes from Temple Church
Sardonic Irish stand-up Sean Hughes brings his show Life Becomes Noise to this year's Udderbelly Festival. The youngest comic to win the prestigious Perrier Award, for ...More
London > Events > Exhibitions Dates: 21st February 2012 to 27th May 2012 - Various Times
Tate Modern, Bankside Power Station, 25 Sumner Street, Bankside, London SE1 | 14 minutes from Temple Church
This exhibition is the first solo show in the UK by an arte povera artist, a movement that emerged in the 1960s of which Boetti was ...More
London > Events > Kids Events Dates: Sunday 27th May 2012 at 11.30am-1.30pm and 2pm-4pm
Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y | 16 minutes from Temple Church
Explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities....More
London > Entertainment > Comedy Clubs
213 Strand, London, Holborn, London WC2R | 2 minutes from Temple Church
The George plays host to the award winning Funny Side Comedy Club every Friday & Saturday night. Under the same ownership as East Dulwich favourites The ...More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
9 Norwich Street, London, Holborn, London EC4A | 5 minutes from Temple Church
Quirky, alternative cabaret club. From cream teas to secret organic cocktails, cabaret and comedy, Kuki La-Belle and Delores von Cotier’s cheeky club combines the naughty with the ...More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Portugal Street, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 8 minutes from Temple Church
This theatre is a major force on the national and international dance scene, with an innovative programme from Sadler's Wells that is keeping London's finger ...More
London > Shopping > Food and Drink Shops
15-17 New Street Square, Fetter Lane, London, City, London EC4A | 4 minutes from Temple Church
Organic, wild and artisan food is supplied by the likes of the River Cottage at this food emporium which, is the second Natural Kitchen to open ...More
London > Shopping > Gifts and Luxuries
Chancery House 53-64 Chancery Lane, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 7 minutes from Temple Church
This is a collection of forty shops containing the largest display of silver under one roof in the world. Also included are high class jewellery and ...More
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
28 Fleet Street, London, Holborn, London EC4Y | At Temple Church
Pret sells up market fast food, hand made from natural ingredients, to take away or eat on site, in its trademark no nonsense chrome interiors. The ...More
London > Restaurants > South American restaurants
125 - 126 Chancery Lane, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 1 minute from Temple Church
The Gaucho Grill boasts the finest Argentine steak (Bife de Lomo) in London. The consistently high quality is spread throughout all nine of its London venues. ...More
London > Restaurants > Thai restaurants
229 - 230 Strand, Aldwych, , London, Holborn, London WC2R | 1 minute from Temple Church
Formally the famous Wig and Pen Club, this branch of Thai Square occupies a building that's supposedly the only one on the Strand to have survived ...More
London > Education > Careers Services
4-6 Staple Inn, London, Holborn, London WC1V | 7 minutes from Temple Church
Situated in the heart of London, Career Energy – formed in March 2002 - offers comprehensive advice on careers, career change and job searching. They’ll analyse ...More
London > Education > Arts and Drama
Somerset House, London, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 8 minutes from Temple Church
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and prime ...More
London > Education > Medical Schools
Strand, London, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 8 minutes from Temple Church
Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the obvious ...More
Leisure near Temple Church
London > Leisure > Martial Arts
Topnotch Health Club, 3 Tudor Street, London, City, London EC4Y | 6 minutes from Temple Church
Grandmaster Gedo Chang's Hapkido martial arts schools emphasises practical self-defence, confidence, balance and fitness. The ancient Korean martial art of Hapkido is made up of three components: ...More
London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
Holborn, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 8 minutes from Temple Church
The largest public square in London, Lincoln's Inn Fields has a rich and varied history. In 1683 it was the site of the public beheading of ...More
London > Leisure > Activities
Hatton Square Business Centre, 16-16a Baldwin Gardens, London, Holborn, London EC1N | 11 minutes from Temple Church
Immerse yourself in a world of chocolate with this mouth-watering workshop. You will discover how chocolate is processed from bean to bar. Sample a variety of ...More
London > Nightlife > Pubs
145 Fleet Street, London, City, London EC4A | 4 minutes from Temple Church
Sprawling 17th century tavern with rabbit-warren of bars and a rich history. Steeped in history, this pub’s story stretches back through the reigns of fifteen monarchs. While ...More
Nightlife near Temple Church
London > Nightlife > Bars
Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London, South Bank, London SE1 | 9 minutes from Temple Church
Boasting one of the best views in town, the Oxo Tower Bar is perfect for combining a spot of leisurely (if static) sightseeing with some classy ...More
London > Nightlife > Bars
1 Aldwych, London, Covent Garden, London WC2B | 9 minutes from Temple Church
Named one of the top five hotel bars in the world by the Sunday Telegraph, the Lobby Bar at the chic One Aldwych hotel is renowned ...More
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
Bleeding Heart Yard, off Greville Street, London, Clerkenwell, London EC1 | 10 minutes from Temple Church
Set in an attractive cobbled courtyard, this candlelit bistro/wine bar is a taste of an older, more civilised world. Uniformed French waiters glide unobtrusively between tables ...More
Meeting venue hire near Temple Church
London > Business > Venue Hire
2 Plowden Buildings Middle Temple Lane, London, Holborn, London EC4Y | 2 minutes from Temple Church
Middle Temple Hall, completed in 1574, is late-Gothic in style. Its attractions are a rare double-hammer beam roof, an intricately carved screen (which, although heavily damaged ...More
London > Business > Venue Hire
Strand, London, Holborn, London WC2A | 3 minutes from Temple Church
...More
London > Business > Venue Hire
Two Temple Place, London, Holborn, London WC2R | 3 minutes from Temple Church
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What's On Today Near Temple Church Afternoon Tease! Theatre | On 27th May 2012 Volupte 5 minutes walk from Temple Church Afternoon tea and a burlesque performance....More Wah! Wah! Girls Theatre | Until 23rd June 2012 Peacock Theatre 8 minutes walk from Temple Church A musical inspired by traditional Mujra dancers and set against the East End of the current day, written by Tanika ...More East Wing X Collection: Material Matters Exhibitions | Until 27th July 2013 Somerset House 8 minutes walk from Temple Church Contemporary works in a variety of media by established and emerging artists including Caroline Achaintre, Rosalind Davis, Damien Hirst, Kristy ...More ![]() Somerset House Fountains Kids Events | Until 1st January 2015 Somerset House 8 minutes walk from Temple Church The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court at Somerset House is always a favourite with kids. These jets of water are ...More ![]() Top Hat Theatre | Until 26th January 2013 Aldwych Theatre 8 minutes walk from Temple Church Based on the 1935 movie starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Top Hat is a comedy dance musical full of ...More ![]() Shrek The Musical Theatre | Until 28th October 2012 Theatre Royal Drury Lane 10 minutes walk from Temple Church Given Shrek's popularity at the Box Office it was only a matter of time before a live version took to ...More Pete's Piano Lounge Concerts | Until 27th May 2012 CellarDoor 10 minutes walk from Temple Church The pianist plays jazz standards....More ![]() Festival! Exhibitions | Until 4th June 2012 National Theatre 11 minutes walk from Temple Church Embracing festivals of all size and nature - from the boisterous and intoxicating Rio Carnival to the cerebral rhythms of ...More Misterman Theatre | Until 28th May 2012 Lyttleton Theatre 11 minutes walk from Temple Church Living within the deceivingly quaint Irish town of Inishfree, Thomas Magill is too aware of the range of characters that ...More ![]() Mind the Map Exhibitions | Until 28th October 2012 London Transport Museum 11 minutes walk from Temple Church Covent Garden's London Transport Museum is putting on a new (free with entry to the main museum) exhibition called Mind ...More
Hotels near Temple Church
From cheap budget hotels to luxury 5 star hotels see our discounts for Temple Church hotels, including Club Quarters Lincoln's Inn Fields from 59% off. |















