GreaterLondonCITYOFLONDONTempleChurch(stusmithCC-BY-ND2.0)1 StuSmith

Temple Church

Welcome to the historic and beautiful Temple Church, built by the Knights Templar, the soldier monks who protected pilgrims to the Holy Land during the Crusades.

City of London, Greater London

Opening times

Monday to Fridays 10am to 4pm.
Services are listed on our website.

Address

Temple
City of London
Greater London
EC4Y 7BB

Medieval architecture meets Wren’s refurbishments in this inspiring building, the Mother Church of the Common Law. The Magna Carta exhibit has William Marshal and King John where they would have debated and agreed clauses of Magna Carta. The round church is modelled on the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. In 1608 King James I gave the whole area of the Temple to the two societies of lawyers, Inner and Middle Temple, who have maintained the church beautifully to the present day.

Here are 800 years of history: from the Crusaders in the 12th century, through the turmoil of the Reformation and the founding father of Anglican theology, to some of the most famous church music in London.

The church was built by the Knights Templar, the order of crusading monks founded to protect pilgrims on their way to and from Jerusalem in the 12th century.

The church is in two parts: the Round and the Chancel. The Round Church was consecrated in 1185 by the patriarch of Jerusalem. It was designed to recall the holiest place in the Crusaders’ world: the circular Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

It is the Mother Church of the Common Law and one of the most historic and beautiful churches in London. It is also a numinous space and has a wonderful acoustic for singing.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Magnificent memorials

  • National heritage here

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Café in church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Clement Danes

Strand, Greater London

This is the 'Oranges and Lemons' church, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1682, burnt out during World War II and reconsecrated as the Central Church of the Royal Air Force in 1958 with antique and modern silver, RAF Books of Remembrance, Squadron Standards and Badges.

St Bride

City of London, Greater London

St Bride's is warm and welcoming, and one of the most famous and most fascinating historic churches in central London, it is known worldwide as the Journalists church, offering a spiritual home to all who work in the media.

St Andrew

Holborn, Greater London

A site of worship for at least 1000 years, but when the crypt was excavated Roman remains were found so the site could have been in use for much longer still.