Has anyone ever heard of a Bencher? No, it’s not some kind of park bench philosopher. Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, right here in the heart of London, holds the key to that mystery. This chapel, dating back to 1623, isn’t just a pretty facade. It’s steeped in the history of Lincoln’s Inn, one of London’s four Inns of Court where barristers have trained for centuries. And a Bencher? That’s a member of the Inn’s governing council. This very chapel has seen countless Benchers pass through its doors, their influence echoing through the legal world. In fact, the chapel bell, possibly cast as early as 1596, would toll to mark the passing of a Bencher. Even more intriguing is the undercroft, the space beneath the chapel. This wasn’t just a meeting place for these legal eagles. This vaulted chamber, open to the elements, served as a crypt, a recreation area, and even a place where desperate mothers left their babies, hoping they’d be cared for by the Inn. These foundlings were all given the surname “Lincoln,” a poignant reminder of the chapel’s compassionate past. Lincoln’s Inn Chapel has witnessed history, from its design by Inigo Jones, the man behind the Queen’s House in Greenwich, to surviving a Zeppelin bomb in 1915. So, the next time you think of a bench, remember the legacy of Lincoln’s Inn Chapel and the Benchers who shaped legal history within its hallowed walls.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service