In my blog three weeks ago I wrote about the treasure trove that you’ll find at All Hallows by the Tower and promised to return again and explore the Crypt Museum. This week’s edition is the result.
I headed down the steps to the atmospheric interior …
One of the first exhibits you encounter is this floor of a 2nd century Roman dwelling …
Sometimes it’s just easier to take a picture of an information label!
Walk where the Romans walked …
The church historian told me that, if I stood on the tiles long enough, I would be transported back to Roman times. Sadly, I was in a bit of a hurry.
On display are several casts of Roman gravestones.
A ‘most devoted son’…
And an ‘incomparable husband’ …
This stone once depicted a couple but the woman’s head is now missing …
The inscription reads : Demetrius, to Heraclia, his wife (set up this stone) at the expense of her own estate, as a memorial to her.
Lots of treasures in display cases …
Including this beautiful carving in alabaster …
This is the ‘great hoist’ …
Costing £3 in 1682, it was made to suspend the beautiful Grinling Gibbons font cover which can now be found in the south west corner of the church …
This is the original north door from the 1884 construction of the North porch …
It was badly damaged in the fire bombing that happenened three weeks after the direct hit on the church on 19 December 1940.
There are several connections with famous Americans.
William Penn was baptised in All Hallows and this memorial to commemorate the event was erected in 1911. It was damaged in the wartime bombing …
William’s father, Admiral Sir William Penn, was Commissioner of the nearby Navy Office and his son was baptised here on 23 October 1644. The Baptismal Register recording the occasion …
Penn’s entry is number 23 on the right hand page.
And what about this lady. For almost two hundred years the only non-American First Lady until the inauguration of President Trump on 20 January 2017 …
The relevant entry in the 1797 Marriage Register …
Memorabilia relating to The Reverend ‘Tubby’ Clayton …
Under the High Altar is sited the Undercroft Chapel …
The altar comprises stones brought back to All Hallows from Richard I’s Castle Athilt in Israel.
As I said in my earlier blog, All Hallows really is a treasure trove and my blogs really just give a brief glimpse of how interesting the church is. So well worth a visit.
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