Today, let’s step back in time. We are standing before the Priory Church of the Order of St John. This spot holds secrets of knights, monks and royal intrigue.
Founded in 1140, the Priory Church of the Order of St John served as the English headquarters for the Knights Hospitaller. These were warrior monks who cared for pilgrims in Jerusalem. They later defended the Holy Land. Imagine this tranquil countryside. It was just north of London’s city walls. Here, the Order built a great monastery.
Over time, the Priory Church of the Order of St John became a powerful ally to the Crown. Royal guests often stayed here. Kings and queens enjoyed its luxurious lodgings.
But like other religious houses, the Priory of St John met its end. King Henry VIII dismantled it in 1540. This was part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The Priory was briefly revived under Mary I. However, it was dissolved again when Elizabeth took the throne.
Fast forward to today. The Museum of the Order of St John preserves the Priory’s remains. Central to the museum is St John’s Gate. Built in 1504, this Tudor gatehouse once guarded the inner courtyard. Imagine King Henry VIII himself passing through this very gate.
The museum tells the story of the Order and the Priory Church of the Order of St John. You can explore the crypt of the original priory church. It’s amazing what lies hidden underground.
The Order of St John was reconstituted in 1888. It is based in St John’s Gate. Its full name is Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. In 1887, it set up the St John Ambulance Association.
The Church of the Priory of St John of Jerusalem was originally built between 1144 and 1160. Initially with a circular footprint, it was reconstructed with a rectangular plan. Following the Dissolution, the building ceased operating as a church. Then on 27 December 1723, it was consecrated as St John’s Clerkenwell. In 1931, the two parishes remerged. St John’s church was returned to the modern Order of St John.
During the Blitz in 1941, the church suffered heavy damage. Only the outer walls survived. Architects Paul Paget and John Seely completed the current buildings in 1958. They include the reinstated church and an entrance hall to the church and crypt.
Today, the Priory Church of the Order of St John stands as a reminder of a rich past. It embodies religion, military might and care for the sick. As you leave, remember the stories within these walls. They echo through time.