Although St. Bride’s Church is considered older, All Hallows by the Tower often cites itself as the oldest church in the City of London – unlike other early churches, All Hallows has a definitive founding date backed up by well-kept records. All Hallows by the Tower was established in 675 CE by the Abbey of Barking and was originally named All Hallows Barking.
The church’s proximity to the Tower of London has made All Hallows an important site for England’s royal family over the centuries. All Hallows by the Tower was often used as a temporary burial site for people beheaded at Tower Hill. The church was severely damaged by an explosion in 1650 but managed to survive the nearby Great Fire of London in 1666. It was restored in the late 19th century but was destroyed again during World War II. Since then, All Hallows by the Tower has been restored and now contains an museum displaying religious artefacts. The church’s registers are also on display and show notable entries such as the baptism of William Penn (founder of Pennsylvania) and the marriage of U.S. President John Quincy Adams.
