Hidden in the shadow of the Tower of London, All Hallows-by-the-Tower is one of the city’s most remarkable surviving churches. Founded in 675 AD during the Anglo-Saxon period, it is widely regarded as the oldest church in the City of London.
Over the centuries, All Hallows has witnessed some of England’s most dramatic historical moments. The church stood through Viking invasions, the Norman conquest, and even the Great Fire of London in 1666. While much of the city burned, All Hallows survived thanks to sailors from nearby wharves who fought the flames using water from the Thames.
The church also has close links to the Tower of London. Several famous figures connected to the Tower worshipped here, including Samuel Pepys and John Quincy Adams, who later became President of the United States. Victims executed on Tower Hill were often brought to All Hallows before burial.
One of the church’s greatest treasures lies beneath the building itself. Visitors can explore a crypt containing Roman tiles and the remains of an Anglo-Saxon arch, offering a rare glimpse into nearly 1,400 years of London history.
Today, All Hallows-by-the-Tower remains both a place of worship and a living monument to the endurance of London through war, fire, and change. For anyone exploring the city’s ancient past, it is an essential stop.
Courtesy of Wikipedia. The view of All Hallows-by-the-Tower from the southeast. Image by Ethan Doyle White This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
See All Hallows by the Tower on a black cab tour of London!