In 1993 an IRA bomb severely damaged the church and once the building was rebuilt and restored it re-opened as a Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.
History
This structure is a rare survival of the medieval City churches that were mostly destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is dedicated to St Ethelburga, a 7th-century abbess of Barking; she was the sister of Saint Erkenwald, a Bishop of London. Its foundation date is unknown, but it was first recorded in 1250 as the church of St Adelburga-the-Virgin. The dedication to "-the-Virgin" was dropped in Puritan times but was later restored.
The church was rebuilt in the 15th century – possibly around 1411 – and a small square bell turret was added in 1775. A weathervane was added in 1671. In order to raise revenue for the church, whose parish covered just three acres (12,000m²), a wooden porch was built over its exterior in the 16th century to house two shops. It underwent major changes in 1932, when Bishopsgate was controversially widened. The shops were demolished and the porch dismantled, revealing the façade of the church for the first time in centuries.
The main source for Æthelburh is Bede's Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum which recounts the foundation of Barking, early miracles there, and Æthelburh's death (Book IV, Chapters 6 to 10). Bede describes Æthelburg as "upright in life and constantly planning for the needs of her community".
Some time before he became bishop of London in 675, Earconwold founded a double abbey at Barking for his sister, and a monastery at Chertsey for himself. Barking appears to have already been established by the time of the plague in 664.
A charter (Sawyer 1171), believed genuine and drafted by Bishop Eorcenwald in the reign of King Sebbi of Essex (reigned c. 664–c. 694), records a grant of lands in Essex by a certain Æthelred to Æthelburh and Barking. This is dated to between 686 and 688.
The 9th century Old English Martyrology records a vision, recounted by a nun of Barking, who saw Æthelburh being drawn up into heaven by golden chains. She was buried at Barking. The Old English Martyrology records her feast day as 11 October. Her successor as abbess was Hildelith.
Bishopsgate is one of the 25 wards of the City of London and also the name of a major road (part of the A10) between Gracechurch Street and Norton Folgate in the northeast corner of London's main financial district. Bishopsgate is named after one of the original eight gates in the London Wall. The site of this former gate is marked by a stone bishop's mitre, fixed high upon a building located at Bishopsgate's junction with Wormwood Street, by the gardens there and facing the Heron Tower.
Although tens of thousands of people commute to and work in the ward, it has a resident population of only 222 (2011).
Ward geography
The ward (which is large by City standards) is bounded by Worship Street to the north, where the edge of the City meets the boroughs of Islington and Hackney. It neighbours Portsoken ward and the borough of Tower Hamlets in the east. The western boundary is formed by Old Broad Street and Broad Street ward itself. Bishopsgate also bounds the wards of Aldgate (southeast), Coleman Street (west), Cornhill (southwest) and Lime Street (south). Bishopsgate ward straddles the (now former) line of the Wall and the old gate and is often (even today) divided into "Within" and "Without" parts, with a deputy (alderman) appointed for each part.
The Heron Tower (officially 110 Bishopsgate) is a commercial skyscraper in London. It stands 230 metres (755ft) tall including its 28-metre (92ft) mast (202 metres (663ft) excluding the mast) making it the tallest building in the City of London financial district and the third tallest in Greater London and the United Kingdom, after the Shard in Southwark and One Canada Square at Canary Wharf. The Heron Tower is located on Bishopsgate and is bordered by Camomile Street, Outwich Street and Houndsditch.
Construction of the building started in 2007 and was completed in 2011. It is owned by Heron International and is generally known as the Heron Tower, though following a naming dispute in 2014 involving the tenant Salesforce.com the City of London ruled in favour of the property being officially named 110 Bishopsgate. The tower initially struggled to attract tenants in the depths of the Great Recession, but is now fully let.
Venue Hire at St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
Book now or find out more: www.stethelburgas.org/venue-hire
published: 13 Dec 2021
St Ethelburga's Church London, 1950s - Film 98513
St Ethelburga’s, the smallest church in the City of London. View of London street with traffic and pedestrians, panning shot across street, close up on Saint Ethelburga’s church which is situated between commercial buildings on Bishopsgate, City of London. We see the notice on the door stating the name of the vicar (Reverend Small) and the church wardens. Views of details of the church - a window, an arched door. People and cars pass in front of the building.
published: 05 Jun 2017
The 'Gherkin' towers over St Ethelburga's
The 'Gherkin ' building appears towers over St Ethelburga's which is now a reconciliation centre in the City of London.
published: 16 Nov 2024
Weekend Workshops at St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
Tools for Practical Implementation (Project Development).
Date: 13 January 2017 - 15 January 2017
published: 19 Jan 2017
Become a Guardian of St Ethelburga's
https://stethelburgas.org/donate
If you would like the opportunity to become one of the St Ethelburga’s family, please consider becoming a Guardian of the Centre. From £10 per month, you can help support us in our work of making peace-makers and building community resilience.
Your commitment to St Ethelburga’s will enable us to continue providing high quality programmes and maintaining a beautiful space at the heart of the City of London. As recognition for your generosity, you will receive:
- free tickets to all evening speaker events
- a guest invite to St Ethelburga’s feast day in October
- an advance copy of our annual report
- an invitation to our annual AGM
- an invitation to our famous Christmas party
Become a Guardian here: https://stethelburgas.org/donate
published: 18 Oct 2021
St Ethelburga's - A great venue for hire in the City of London
Take a look at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace - a beautiful and entirely unique venue for hire in the City of London.
published: 04 Nov 2012
St Ethelburga's bell
St Ethelburga’s church has been ringing its bells across the city of London for 800 years. Now a thriving centre for reconciliation and peace, it protects the sacred and builds community across differences. The bell still punctuates our working days with the rhythm of remembrance. Here, clock and bell technician Les Kirk talks about its history.
#ProtectingTheSacred
published: 26 Mar 2019
St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace: A Human Library
Two young girls talk about their experience of 'reading' several human books at a human library, which is an event which aims to reduce prejudice. This was a collaboration between St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace and Toynbee Hall.
published: 13 May 2012
St Ethelburga's The Power of Story
St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace explores the power of personal narrative and story in community building.
published: 18 Oct 2012
St Ethelburgas, Radical Resilience
Active spirituality for an unravelling world is a response to the need to prepare for potential social and ecological disintegration. At a time when humanity’s future is uncertain, a new kind of resilience is needed, one firmly rooted in spiritual principles. The project will create a series of events, training courses, workshops and online content that offer a curriculum for resilience building. The Radical Resilience concept includes strengthening individuals psychologically and spiritually, as well as building communities that are more cohesive and better able to adapt in times of change.
St Ethelburga’s, the smallest church in the City of London. View of London street with traffic and pedestrians, panning shot across street, close up on Saint Et...
St Ethelburga’s, the smallest church in the City of London. View of London street with traffic and pedestrians, panning shot across street, close up on Saint Ethelburga’s church which is situated between commercial buildings on Bishopsgate, City of London. We see the notice on the door stating the name of the vicar (Reverend Small) and the church wardens. Views of details of the church - a window, an arched door. People and cars pass in front of the building.
St Ethelburga’s, the smallest church in the City of London. View of London street with traffic and pedestrians, panning shot across street, close up on Saint Ethelburga’s church which is situated between commercial buildings on Bishopsgate, City of London. We see the notice on the door stating the name of the vicar (Reverend Small) and the church wardens. Views of details of the church - a window, an arched door. People and cars pass in front of the building.
https://stethelburgas.org/donate
If you would like the opportunity to become one of the St Ethelburga’s family, please consider becoming a Guardian of the Cent...
https://stethelburgas.org/donate
If you would like the opportunity to become one of the St Ethelburga’s family, please consider becoming a Guardian of the Centre. From £10 per month, you can help support us in our work of making peace-makers and building community resilience.
Your commitment to St Ethelburga’s will enable us to continue providing high quality programmes and maintaining a beautiful space at the heart of the City of London. As recognition for your generosity, you will receive:
- free tickets to all evening speaker events
- a guest invite to St Ethelburga’s feast day in October
- an advance copy of our annual report
- an invitation to our annual AGM
- an invitation to our famous Christmas party
Become a Guardian here: https://stethelburgas.org/donate
https://stethelburgas.org/donate
If you would like the opportunity to become one of the St Ethelburga’s family, please consider becoming a Guardian of the Centre. From £10 per month, you can help support us in our work of making peace-makers and building community resilience.
Your commitment to St Ethelburga’s will enable us to continue providing high quality programmes and maintaining a beautiful space at the heart of the City of London. As recognition for your generosity, you will receive:
- free tickets to all evening speaker events
- a guest invite to St Ethelburga’s feast day in October
- an advance copy of our annual report
- an invitation to our annual AGM
- an invitation to our famous Christmas party
Become a Guardian here: https://stethelburgas.org/donate
St Ethelburga’s church has been ringing its bells across the city of London for 800 years. Now a thriving centre for reconciliation and peace, it protects the s...
St Ethelburga’s church has been ringing its bells across the city of London for 800 years. Now a thriving centre for reconciliation and peace, it protects the sacred and builds community across differences. The bell still punctuates our working days with the rhythm of remembrance. Here, clock and bell technician Les Kirk talks about its history.
#ProtectingTheSacred
St Ethelburga’s church has been ringing its bells across the city of London for 800 years. Now a thriving centre for reconciliation and peace, it protects the sacred and builds community across differences. The bell still punctuates our working days with the rhythm of remembrance. Here, clock and bell technician Les Kirk talks about its history.
#ProtectingTheSacred
Two young girls talk about their experience of 'reading' several human books at a human library, which is an event which aims to reduce prejudice. This was a c...
Two young girls talk about their experience of 'reading' several human books at a human library, which is an event which aims to reduce prejudice. This was a collaboration between St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace and Toynbee Hall.
Two young girls talk about their experience of 'reading' several human books at a human library, which is an event which aims to reduce prejudice. This was a collaboration between St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace and Toynbee Hall.
Active spirituality for an unravelling world is a response to the need to prepare for potential social and ecological disintegration. At a time when humanity’s ...
Active spirituality for an unravelling world is a response to the need to prepare for potential social and ecological disintegration. At a time when humanity’s future is uncertain, a new kind of resilience is needed, one firmly rooted in spiritual principles. The project will create a series of events, training courses, workshops and online content that offer a curriculum for resilience building. The Radical Resilience concept includes strengthening individuals psychologically and spiritually, as well as building communities that are more cohesive and better able to adapt in times of change.
Active spirituality for an unravelling world is a response to the need to prepare for potential social and ecological disintegration. At a time when humanity’s future is uncertain, a new kind of resilience is needed, one firmly rooted in spiritual principles. The project will create a series of events, training courses, workshops and online content that offer a curriculum for resilience building. The Radical Resilience concept includes strengthening individuals psychologically and spiritually, as well as building communities that are more cohesive and better able to adapt in times of change.
St Ethelburga’s, the smallest church in the City of London. View of London street with traffic and pedestrians, panning shot across street, close up on Saint Ethelburga’s church which is situated between commercial buildings on Bishopsgate, City of London. We see the notice on the door stating the name of the vicar (Reverend Small) and the church wardens. Views of details of the church - a window, an arched door. People and cars pass in front of the building.
https://stethelburgas.org/donate
If you would like the opportunity to become one of the St Ethelburga’s family, please consider becoming a Guardian of the Centre. From £10 per month, you can help support us in our work of making peace-makers and building community resilience.
Your commitment to St Ethelburga’s will enable us to continue providing high quality programmes and maintaining a beautiful space at the heart of the City of London. As recognition for your generosity, you will receive:
- free tickets to all evening speaker events
- a guest invite to St Ethelburga’s feast day in October
- an advance copy of our annual report
- an invitation to our annual AGM
- an invitation to our famous Christmas party
Become a Guardian here: https://stethelburgas.org/donate
St Ethelburga’s church has been ringing its bells across the city of London for 800 years. Now a thriving centre for reconciliation and peace, it protects the sacred and builds community across differences. The bell still punctuates our working days with the rhythm of remembrance. Here, clock and bell technician Les Kirk talks about its history.
#ProtectingTheSacred
Two young girls talk about their experience of 'reading' several human books at a human library, which is an event which aims to reduce prejudice. This was a collaboration between St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation & Peace and Toynbee Hall.
Active spirituality for an unravelling world is a response to the need to prepare for potential social and ecological disintegration. At a time when humanity’s future is uncertain, a new kind of resilience is needed, one firmly rooted in spiritual principles. The project will create a series of events, training courses, workshops and online content that offer a curriculum for resilience building. The Radical Resilience concept includes strengthening individuals psychologically and spiritually, as well as building communities that are more cohesive and better able to adapt in times of change.
In 1993 an IRA bomb severely damaged the church and once the building was rebuilt and restored it re-opened as a Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.
History
This structure is a rare survival of the medieval City churches that were mostly destroyed during the Great Fire of London in 1666. It is dedicated to St Ethelburga, a 7th-century abbess of Barking; she was the sister of Saint Erkenwald, a Bishop of London. Its foundation date is unknown, but it was first recorded in 1250 as the church of St Adelburga-the-Virgin. The dedication to "-the-Virgin" was dropped in Puritan times but was later restored.
The church was rebuilt in the 15th century – possibly around 1411 – and a small square bell turret was added in 1775. A weathervane was added in 1671. In order to raise revenue for the church, whose parish covered just three acres (12,000m²), a wooden porch was built over its exterior in the 16th century to house two shops. It underwent major changes in 1932, when Bishopsgate was controversially widened. The shops were demolished and the porch dismantled, revealing the façade of the church for the first time in centuries.
A first public consultation on the plans will start at 4pm tomorrow at St Ethelburga’s on Bishopsgate, the same venue where Eric Parry’s plans for 1 Undershaft were aired at the end of August.