A thousand years of history whisper from these stones. Welcome to St Alphege Church Greenwich. This isn’t just any church. This hallowed ground reputedly marks the spot where Archbishop Alphege met a martyr’s death. Imagine the scene in 1012. Danish raiders held him captive demanding a ransom. They murdered him here when the money wasn’t paid.
St Alphege Church stands as a testament to faith resilience and survival. Its medieval predecessor collapsed in a storm in 1710. The foundations weakened by centuries of burials. This necessitated a complete rebuild. Nicholas Hawksmoor a pupil of the great Christopher Wren designed the current building. It’s a stunning example of English Baroque architecture. Construction started in 1712. The church wasn’t consecrated until 1718.
Hawksmoor initially planned a grand west tower. The building commission refused to fund it. The medieval tower remained a testament to the past. John James later refaced the tower adding a spire in 1730. Hawksmoor’s design featured an octagonal lantern. This design element is quite similar to other churches that he designed. This is an intriguing detail worth noting.
The church faced another ordeal during World War II. Incendiary bombs hit the roof in 1941 during the Blitz. The roof collapsed. The fire ravaged the nave. Yet the walls and the tower survived. Sir Albert Richardson expertly restored the church in 1953. Beautiful stencils of Mary and St John were added to the side chapel.
St Alphege Church is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living space full of history. Famous figures lie buried here. Composer Thomas Tallis rests in the ground. So does Henry Kelsey the intrepid Canadian explorer. Even the actress Lavinia Fenton found her final resting place here.
The church continues to serve its community. It hosts Founder’s Day celebrations for local schools. It played a part in a bizarre incident in 2015. An armed police raid interrupted a cream tea party. This speaks to the unpredictable nature of life. But the church remains a steadfast symbol of faith and community. Now take a moment to appreciate this remarkable piece of London’s history.