1/ Dennis Severs House, Folgate Street, built around 1724, it was occupied by a family of Huguenot weavers who had fled persecution in France. In 19. Severs bought the house virtually derelict in 1979 and proceeded to turn it back to how it looked in the 18th and 19th centuries while still living there. Here are couple of web sites that give more information, the second one also has information about Spitlefields and the church in the top right hand photo. ( the man in the video is a bit odd !)
3/ St Andrew Undershaft Church, I found this quite sad, this church dates back to 1532 , survived the Great Fire of London and the blitz but is now hidden away between modern skyscrapers . The church has stood here since 1147 but was rebuilt in 1532, the churches curious name derives from the shaft of the maypole that was traditionally set up each year opposite the church. The custom ceased in 1517when student riots ( see they happend then ) put an end to it. The maypole survived until 1547 when a mob destroyed it because they considered it a pagan idol. People buried there, Hans Holbein the Younger and Fabian Stedman, the father of church bell ringing.
4/ the Soup Kitchen for the Jewish poor was set up in 1854 to feed the thousands of jews fleeing from pogroms in Russia and Poland who arrived with very little or no money, it moved to the building in the photo in1902 which didn't close until 1992.
Sorry if a bit long.
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Bazzak
Reading Rabbits
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That's very interesting to know, too! Thank you for letting me know.
How really fascinating Bazzak. Your very deep knowledge of London means you are telling me of so many places and events I'd never have learned any other way. Thank you so much. Have you ever thought of doing a YouTube channel as a virtual tour guide on your walks. It would be amazing!🙏
That is a very kind thing to say Callendergal, I think I am a bit shy for being in front of a camera, the last time I was acting on stage, is when I was the back end of a donkey carrying Mary in a school play!🙂x
Found reading your post very interesting. When my OH were younger and retired we used to go round the various London Churches and Synagogues. They used to advertise in the Tube about this and which were open and when. From what I remember we did it for several years until we had worked through them.
I have recently been researching my family name, which is a French one, so going too far back will be difficult, but somebody suggested I look up the Huguenot Society, and I found the name in their lists.
No its not- it's always very interesting .Better than a guide book☺👍There was a programme on tv about the house - fascinating and on my list of must see places.
Hang on- have I just been nice to you? Must be the heat😂
Yes, very interesting, Don, re Holbein, officially he was buried in a communal plague pit in the grounds of a church about 100 yards away but it did say on the St Andrew site that he was probably buried inside St Andrew ?
I see that he made many contributions to the court of Henry VIII. He succumbed during an outbreak of the plague. He so young; similar to the lyrical poet Keats, I am left wondering what he might have done if he could have worked to a ripe old age, painting, designing, and other creative endeavors. Again, thanks for your post.
Thank you Bazzak for posting. I was lucky enough to visit Dennis Severs house last December when it was dressed for Christmas. Your post bought back memories of better times. I wish I had known about St Andrew church as it sounds so interesting. I had plans to visit Southwark cathedral this year as my grandparents got married there on Christmas Day nearly 100 years ago. It’s stood there for a long time so i guess it can wait for a bit longer. Keep your posts coming really enjoying them. 😀
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