If ever you find yourself in London and happen to be in the vicinity of Fleet Street you should take the opportunity of locating the Temple church. It’s down a narrow alleyway and is easily missed, but really is worth the effort. 
 

The Temple Church is one of London’s most historic and architecturally distinctive churches. Located between the City of London and Westminster, it was originally built by the medieval Knights Templar. Construction began in the 12th century, and the church was consecrated in 1185 by Heraclius. Its famous circular nave was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, reflecting the Templars’ close connection with the Crusades.

After the suppression of the Knights Templar in 1312, ownership of the church passed to the Knights Hospitaller. Eventually, the site became associated with England’s legal profession. The church and surrounding Temple precincts were leased to the legal societies known as the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple, which continue to maintain it today.

The Temple Church played a role in several important periods of English history. It is traditionally linked to discussions surrounding the events that inspired the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century. Architecturally, the church is renowned for its effigies of medieval knights, which lie on the floor of the round nave and are among the finest examples of their kind in England.

During the Second World War, the church suffered severe damage from German bombing during the Blitz. Extensive restoration work was carried out after the war, allowing the building to regain much of its historic character. Today, the Temple Church remains an active place of worship and a popular visitor attraction, admired for its unique blend of Norman and Gothic architecture, its rich legal heritage, and its connection to the Knights Templar.

The Temple Church stands as a remarkable survivor of medieval London, reflecting over eight centuries of religious, military, legal, and architectural history.