All Hallows by the Tower

The Church of All Hallows by the Tower claims to be the oldest church foundation in London, going back some time before 675 wben Erkenwald, its founder, became Bishop of London. Although saved from the 1666 Great Fire by Samuel Pepys and others, it suffered from the droppings of the Luftwaffe, and much of the nave was rebuilt in the fifties. Curiously, its brick tower was constructed in 1658-59, under the puritan Protectorate when, it is generally thought, few church buildings were erected or embellished.

Two particular features caught my attention when I visited in last month, and both are to do with little pieces making a larger whole. The first is the tomb of Alderman John Croke, above, who died in 1477. Hitler’s bombs smashed into 150 smithereens which were painstakingly reassembled to restore it to its former glory, which we may still enjoy. Such a good reconstruction was done that one cannot easily tell that it had to been broken at all. 

The second is found in its crypt, and is a section of second-century AD Roman paving, above. Belonging to a domestic residence, this irregularly tiled ‘mosaic’ would have been considered a pleasing piece of flooring or corridor by the more fashionable and wealthy denizens of Londinium. Had I seen it in a dwelling house, I might have dismissed it as 1970s kitsch, but this is orginal. 

‘Breaking in pieces’ is a popular Old Testament theme, especially as a picture of prosecution of divine judgement. For example:

I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers. Jeremiah 51:23

Yet 'binding up' is also as frequent a theme. For example:

Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hosea 6:1

Whether we have Roman craftsmen breaking tiles into pieces to make a fashionable flooring design, or a patient 1950s restorer putting the pieces together again, our God can break, but He can also mend; He can smash, but He can also restore. Today, the gentle Saviour heals and soothes; when He returns as conquering King, He will break and destroy.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalm 2:9-12