Church of St Mary Aldermary

The Church of St Mary Aldermary on Bow Lane in London is used as a café by well-dressed City workers, while its south chapel seems to be reserved for meditation and Taizé style devotions. Various individuals slouched in the pews, sipping lattes and chattering about corporate affairs. The fabulous seventeenth-century gothic architecture (which is highly unusual) all about them was seemingly ignored; perhaps they were used to it. The real treasure of that building, however, cannot be seen without lifting one’s head. The ceiling boasts a fabulous array of white plastered fan vaulting.

The tiled floor of the nave is acceptable; the marbled floor of the chancel is interesting, but the ceilings are truly superb. Yet to delight in them, one must raise one's eyes and vision; one must cease beholding the affairs of our level, and look up. Whatever deals were clinched that day, whatever the networking opportunities seized, none were as beautiful as that ceiling. The concerns of this world have us look down; the gospel demands we elevate our vision. So look up. 

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. Psalm 5:3