Did you know that Oliver Cromwell got married at St Giles Cripplegate? This magnificent church stands before you a testament to over a thousand years of history. More than just a place of worship St Giles Cripplegate has witnessed pivotal moments in English history. Its stones whisper tales of kings and poets revolutionaries and reformers.
Look closely at the tower built in 1682. Notice the original stones at its base? They date back to 1090. This medieval church miraculously survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz of World War II. It’s a survivor a beacon of resilience.
Within these walls Lancelot Andrews a translator of the King James Bible once served as minister. John Bunyan a devout pilgrim found solace here. John Foxe author of Foxe’s Book of Martyrs a chronicle of the persecution of Protestants during Bloody Mary’s reign preached here and rests in peace near the chancel arch. John Milton author of Paradise Lost was a parishioner here his final resting place also within this sacred space. Even William Shakespeare visited St Giles attending the baptisms of his nephews. The connections to literature are undeniable.
Jeremiah Burroughs a Puritan minister from 1640 to 1646 was a remarkable figure. Exiled to Holland he was later invited back to preach the sermon that opened the Long Parliament. He pastored two congregations simultaneously preaching in Stepney in the morning and then riding to St Giles for an afternoon sermon. His book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment is still cherished today.
St Giles Cripplegate is more than just a building. It is a living archive a living testament to faith perseverance and the enduring power of the human spirit. It’s a place where history comes alive. It’s a place you’ll never forget. Take a moment to breathe in this atmosphere. Feel the weight of history around you. This is St Giles Cripplegate.