St Bride's Church, London

St Bride's in the City of London is sometimes called the journalists’ church. The phrase from John 1 ‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us’ is quoted, though not perhaps in the correct sense in which the apostle intended. One of the altars is used as a photograph stand upon which are arrayed pictures of journalists 'killed in action'. A free press is an essential weapon against corrupt and cruel government; from its endeavours, we all benefit. 

Two large statues of Moses and Elijah grace the interior, perhaps embodying the written word and the spoken word - both media traditionally employed by God’s messengers.

 

In the basement of the church is a museum, parts of which resemble an archaeological dig, with 12th and 11th century remains, and a Roman pavement labelled and explained.

It is important that we remember the past and share its wisdom with those in the present, publishing previous cases and examples provided. We humans are naturally foolish and fail to learn our lessons; the past should be reported and pondered just as much as any foreign affair or natural disaster. Inside that crypt chapel was an old communion table, likely commissioned at the time of Edward VI and Thomas Cranmer, when stone altars were broken and wooden communion tables were brought into the aisle that the common folk might have communion together. No-one now remembers this wonderful practice, but it is still worth the telling. It is vital that we report to our generation the gospel, for it is the only hope our world has.