Comments on: St Mary Stratford Atte Bow Church https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/03/31/at-bow-church-i/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:48:26 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 By: Paula https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/03/31/at-bow-church-i/#comment-1921598 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:48:26 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=195257#comment-1921598 Pamela – you are thinking of Greensted Church, in Chipping Ongar, Essex. It’s a beautiful place, and the nave is made of ancient tree trunks

]]> By: Saba https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/03/31/at-bow-church-i/#comment-1505630 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:11:03 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=195257#comment-1505630 I find today’s photo and text essay extremely thorough as it presents the material from various perspectives. I enjoyed visualizing the people so long ago who sat in the chairs, probably shivering in winter, and watching whatever each one perceived to be the powers of the Eucharist. Well done, GA, and thank you.

]]> By: Pamela Bough https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/03/31/at-bow-church-i/#comment-1505626 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:16:35 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=195257#comment-1505626 I was sure the oldest church in England was still standing. Made from round oak tree trunks with a hearing hole for the people with the plague or lepers to hear the services. Outside of Braintree or Brentwood in Essex. It has been a while since I last viewed it as I live in Canada, now. The roof was being replaced last time I saw it 1999. Pam Bough

]]> By: Bernie https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/03/31/at-bow-church-i/#comment-1505599 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:05:44 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=195257#comment-1505599 ” the church took a direct hit in World War II. ”

So did the nearest church (at Amhurst Rd) to our home, and many others. These could not have been the result of random hits but indicate selective bomb aiming. But I have never seen any analysis of the distribution of hits on churches. Is there one? Were churches deliberately targeted? I would not be surprised if they were. If so, why? Because of their (generally) large size or because of the effect on morale? Or some other reason? Having lived through the London Blitz I would like to know the answer. (There cannot be very many of us remaining alive!)

]]> By: Andy https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/03/31/at-bow-church-i/#comment-1505596 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 07:53:38 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=195257#comment-1505596 Evocative and moving.
Andy

]]> By: Christine Swan https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/03/31/at-bow-church-i/#comment-1505593 Fri, 31 Mar 2023 06:36:18 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=195257#comment-1505593 Thank you GA and Joy for another fascinating read. Many walk by old churches unaware of their history. I think the tower of St Mary illustrates this well. London is built upon the ancient land, had been remodeled to meet the current need and repaired to put right damage. Unfortunately, the current fashion of remodeling seems to be to encase what was beautiful in a hideous glass and steel box or hide it behind an overbearing concrete monstrosity. Long may London’s faithful citizens rally against this to keep our history for all to enjoy. Hopefully the joyful toddlers playing there will remember their play place and feel a similar affection and secure its future.

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