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A Brief History of All Hallows by the Tower
A Christian Beacon on Tower Hill since 675AD
All Hallows by the Tower of London is a living church serving today's City community. We are open seven days a week, providing a quiet space for prayer and reflection in the midst of the busyness surrounding us. We welcome City workers and visitors throughout the day to join our daily worship, to visit the Undercroft Museum and Brass Rubbing Centre, and to enjoy our regular concerts, exhibitions and other events.
The Saxon Abbey of Barking founded the church in 675AD, and an arch from the original church remains. Beneath the arch is a Roman pavement, discovered in 1926, evidence of city life on this site for the best part of two thousand years. Located next to the Tower of London, the church has dealt with numerous beheaded bodies, including those of Thomas More, John Fisher and Archbishop Laud.
In 1666 the Great Fire of London started in Pudding Lane, a few hundred yards from the church. All Hallows survived through the efforts of Admiral Penn (William Penn's father) who, along with his friend Samuel Pepys, watched London burn from the tower of the church. William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, was baptised in the church and educated in the schoolroom (now the Parish Room).
John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, was married here on July 26th 1797 to Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter of Joshua Johnson of Maryland, American Consul in London, and niece of Thomas Johnson, first Governor of Maryland under the State Constitution.
The entry in the Marriage Register is on display in the Undercroft Museum.In 1940 Hitler's bombs succeeded where the Great Fire had failed. Only the tower and the walls remained, but the late Queen Mother laid a new foundation stone in 1948 and she attended the re-dedication service some nine years later. The vicar at the time was "Tubby" Clayton, founder of Toc H. The movement's lamp of maintenance still burns in the Lady Chapel, and the founder's effigy and body rest in the church.
All Hallows continues an international ministry with a strong relationship with the Church of the Epiphany, New York, and Christ Church, Philadelphia, the Church of Sweden, and the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, of which it is the London home. All Hallows is also the Church of H.M. Revenue & Customs.
All Hallows provides a Christian welcome, sanctuary, and inspiration on Tower Hill for all those who work, visit, or are called to come here. We build with confidence on the history and heritage of our last 1300 years as we meet the challenges of the present and future, serving our communities and journeying together in faith with all who seek God.
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