Whispers from the crypt. That’s what they call it at All Hallows by the Tower. All Hallows. The name itself evokes a sense of history a timeless echo in the heart of London. This church stands as a silent witness to centuries of London life. Its stones have borne witness to joy and sorrow triumph and tragedy.
All Hallows by the Tower is one of the oldest churches in London. Its roots stretch back to Saxon times around 675 AD. Built on top of Roman foundations you can still see remnants of that ancient past today. The church itself has been rebuilt and renovated many times. The exterior largely dates from the 15th century. The interior however was largely reconstructed in the 1940s. World War II bombing raids inflicted heavy damage.
But All Hallows has endured. Its central location near the Tower of London made it a part of many pivotal moments in history. Many who met their end on Tower Hill found their final resting place here. Infamous figures like Thomas More Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor were laid to rest within these walls.
Samuel Pepys a famous diarist witnessed the Great Fire of London from the church tower in 1666. He described the terrifying scene in vivid detail. All Hallows survived the flames a testament to the bravery of Admiral Penn. Penn the father of William Penn founder of Pennsylvania saved the church by ordering his sailors to demolish surrounding buildings.
All Hallows even has an American connection. William Penn himself was baptised here in 1644. John Quincy Adams the sixth President of the United States was married here in 1797.
Today you can explore All Hallows. Admire its beautiful 15th-century exterior and its carefully restored interior. Descend into the crypt. There you will find Saxon coffins and the remains of Roman mosaic flooring from a 2nd-century villa. The crypt’s altar is made from stone taken from Richard the Lionheart’s Crusader castle at Atlit in the Holy Land.
A small museum in the crypt shows the church’s history. It tells the story of London itself. All Hallows by the Tower. A hidden gem waiting to be discovered. A place where history whispers from the stones and the shadows of the past dance with the light of the present.