Originally founded in 675, it is the oldest church in London. It was rebuilt in the 13th-15th century, badly damaged by bombing in the Second World War and restored in 1957. The Saxon period is represented by the remains of a seventh century arch and a cross. The crypt (undercroft), which houses a museum, dates from the 14th century. The brick tower (1658) is an example of Cromwellian ecclesiastical architecture; the spire was added in 1959. All Hallows has been the Toc H guild church, an organization of Christian fellowship founded in Belgium.
Notable features are the statues of St Ethelburga and Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (who was baptized in the church) above the north porch (1884), a 16th century Spanish crucifix in the south aisle and a number of 15th-17th century tombs. The new font (1944) is carved from stone from Gibraltar.
All Hallows by the Tower Church houses a center for brass rubbing where visitors can take impressions from the memorial tablets.
Address: London Brass Rubbing Centre, The Crypt St Martin-in-the-fields Church Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ, England
Hours:
10am-6pm; Sun:12pm-6pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Good Friday - Christian
Tips: Charges for brass rubbings.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
In the Memorial Chapel is a crusading altar which originally stood in Richard I's castle at Athlit in northern Palestine. It also houses the finest collection of memorial brasses (14th-17th centuries) in London.
The Undercroft Museum contains a model of Roman London and various Roman and Saxon remains. The parish registers record the baptism (1644) of William Penn, founder of the state of Pennsylvania, and the marriage of John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States.
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