Comments on: At The German Church In Aldgate

By: Lynne Barron

Lynne Barron — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 23:01:58 +0000

Thank you for a fascinating look at the Church which may hold some significance for my 4x great grandfather, Frederick Wightman/Whiteman, who was a sugar baker. His wife is named variously as Luphira, Luphire, Auphia with her family name not mentioned but I suspect she may have been from one of the German sugar baker families. I hope to search the Church records…where are they kept?

By: Akkers

Akkers — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 17:09:16 +0000

Another interesting story. My Great Grandfather X3 came over from Hanover in the 1840s and was a Sugar baker in this district (ended up owning the factory). I wonder if he and his family went to this church.

By: achim

achim — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:10:36 +0000

A really great story about German heritage in London’s East End. I didn’t know anything about this extraordinary church with its background history until now.

The architect was a carpenter by trade, which adds to the charm of the church. The fact that even the fascinatingly simple “modern” windows from the early 19th century and even the original linoleum from 1855 are still preserved is amazing.

The pastor was acquainted with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which gives the story an additional special meaning.

Love & Peace
ACHIM

By: Eddie Bosticco

Eddie Bosticco — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:10:28 +0000

Thank you, Gentle.
This is a beautiful building. I worked in Alies Street, just across the road from the Church.

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:10:03 +0000

My great grandparents were German immigrants in the mid-C19th & they attended this church. My great grandfather Johan Korten was a ‘zuckerbacher’ (sugar baker) working at Christian Street sugar refinery until his early death at 38, probably of industrial disease. If anyone has more information about the WW1 treatment of female German immigrants I would love to hear more. By that time my great grandfather had died, but his widow lived until the 1920s and we have no knowledge of how she was treated during the war. As always,thank you GA for a most interesting piece. I knew nothing about the 18th century stories you have told.

By: Christine Swan

Christine Swan — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 05:22:16 +0000

I have often wondered about the German Church as I stay in the hotel in the chain hotel opposite regularly. I had no idea of the local trade either so this was a fascinating read for me.

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 05:19:43 +0000

Inside photos are quite stunning.
I believe the famous Pastor Martin Niemoller served here after World War Two.
He coined the and I phrase ,” First they came for the political prisoners and I was silent, then they came for the Jews and I was quiet,then they came for me but there was no one to speak up for me”
He was referring to the Nazis .
This kind of silence not to help others in the workplace,our neighbours,about wrongdoing ,has never been more translucent in my lifetime.

I hope all these words to honour those who have and do are used today.