Personal Views

Christian Heritage Walk

Saturday 2nd February 2008

21st Century

On a cold but bright Saturday morning ten of us met at Harpenden station for a Christian Heritage Walk in London. We were met by our tour guide on the train and rendezvous with three others on the steps of St. Paul’s.

Despite engineering works on the Harpenden to London train line we made good time and arrived at 10.20am for an 11am start. This gave us ample time for a leisurely start with coffee in the nearby café in Paternoster Square.

Refreshed and ready to Go!

After a brief introduction on the steps of St. Paul’s, the tour progressed as follows:-

Paul’s Cross at the North East corner of St. Paul’s which is marked by a cross carved in the stone ground.

1st Century

In the shadow of this magnificent Cathedral there was time to reflect on St. Paul’s conversion from Christian persecutor to great Christian missionary.

7th Century

A cathedral was dedicated to Saint Paul 13½ centuries ago. It has suffered 3 fires (7th & 11th century and The Great Fire of London 1666), 1 destruction (by the Vikings in the 9th Century) and survived a bombing blitz (World War II) but through perseverance it was rebuilt 4 times to give us it’s character today and thus a colossal symbol of hope.

Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) is depicted by a frieze above the front entrance to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

16th Century

On the site of Paul’s Cross stood an open-air pulpit, the scene of many fiery sermons particularly during the Reformation. The burning of Luther’s writings and Tyndale’s New Testament also occurred here. (Martin Luther was the German monk and reformist who became convinced that the church had lost sight of what he saw as several of the central truths of Christianity. William Tyndale was an English reformist, who dedicated and gave his life in order to provide a Bible in English so that the majority could discover Christianity for themselves).

Something worth remembering is the sacrifice paid by Tyndale to put a Bible into our hands that we can read for ourselves and hence think for ourselves.

19th Century

Postman’s park by St. Botolph’s Church. We moved onto a secluded garden with 50 Victorian plaques to commemorate great acts of heroism. We were reminded of Jesus’ words in John’s gospel ‘Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for a friend.’ John ch15 v13. The stories of heroism are moving and well worth the stop. Indeed we were told many people consider it the highlight of their tour.

18th Century

John & Charles Wesley Evangelical Conversion – Aldersgate Street. Unfortunately obscured by scaffolding but here is a picture of it from last year!

We were quizzed here on what Wesley hymns we knew but it was decided we would not sing any!!

Outside the Museum of London Here we read John Wesley’s diary entry for Wednesday May 24, 1738 on a magnificent metal scroll sculpture. (Notes:- The old fashioned ‘s’ have been replaced by a modern ‘s’. The Greek has been displayed as near as possible to the original text.)

Wednesday May 24. 1738.
What occur’d on Wedn. 24, I think best to relate at large, after premising what may make it the better understood. Let him that cannot receive it, ask of the Father of Lights, that he would give more Light both to him and me.

I think it was about five this Morning, that I opened my Testament on those Words. Τὰ μέγιστα ἡμῖν χj τίμια ἐπαγγέλματα δεδώρηται, ἵνα γένησθε θείας κοινωνοὶ φύσεως.

There are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises, even that ye should be Partakers of the divine Nature. 2 Pet. i. 4. Just as I went out, I open’d it again on those Words, Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God. (Mk 12 v 34) In the Afternoon I was ask’d to go to St. Paul’s. The Anthem was, Out of the Deep have I call’d unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my Voice. O let thine Ears consider well the Voice of my complaint. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it? But there is Mercy with thee; therefore thou shalt be feared. O Israel, trust in the Lord: For with the Lord there is Mercy, and with him is plenteous Redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his Sins.

14. In the Evening I went very unwillingly to a Society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a Quarter before nine, while he was describing the Change which God works in the Heart thro’ Faith in Christ, I felt my Heart strangely warm’d. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for Salvation; And an Assurance was given me, That He had taken away my Sins, even mine, and saved me from the Law of Sin and Death.

JOHN WESLEY.

12th Century

St. Bartholomew’s Church The oldest church building in London. A hospital was founded at the same time, and indeed now next door is Barts hospital. They survived Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in 16th century.

16th Century

Outside this church you can stand on the spot where Christians were burnt at the stake for their faith in the 16th century.

21st Century

Finally to lunch. After a false trek round the houses (we will mention no names) we ended up where we began! in a very pleasant soup and sandwich café outside St. Paul’s called ‘Apostrophe’. Then off to the Old Bailey (just passing honestly), The Millennium Bridge and a walk along the South Bank then home.

The Final Six!

Thanks to everyone for making this a special day, especially to our tour guide without whom it couldn’t have happened.

Jenny Forsythe/Denise Legg